-117- Ginny's Feelings
Boxing day was perhaps Harry's most anticipated day of the year. He loved spending time at the burrow with the Weasley clan. Mrs. Weasley always made sure to have plenty of food for all and the Weasley brood always made sure to have a boisterous game of Quidditch. This year would be even better for the simple fact that Ginny was now more than just Ron's little sister, much more. That is why Harry felt so torn about doing what was fun and what was right.
The right thing to do would be to support Draco and to attend the ball at his house. Draco had helped to save Ginny, Draco had sacrificed so much. It was the least Harry could do after all the Slytherin had suffered through. Harry stood at his bedroom window looking out as the early morning sun shone down on the grounds of Snape Manor. He leaned his forehead on the cool glass and debated how he was going to break the news to Ginny and Ron. He knew they would be mad that he had chosen to spend time at the Malfoy's instead of with them.
Severus stood at the open door to his son's bedroom. He took a deep calming breath. He didn't want to alarm Harry unnecessarily but he had just received dire news. Not only had Bella Lestrange been spotted in the area but a group of death eaters had also been seen with her. No one really had any idea how many death eaters were left because only Voldemort knew the identities of all his followers.
Severus looked towards the window and saw his son standing at it. He felt saddened that the youth hadn't even had a chance to be a normal teenager before having to fear for his life once more. Life wasn't fair but it was especially unfair for the boy-who-lived. He decided to keep the information from Harry, at least for another day. The teen deserved to have one day free from fear.
"Are you ready to leave Harry?" Severus asked as he walked into the room.
"I guess," Harry said as he turned around to face his father. "I think I'm going to go with you to the ball tonight."
A look of surprise crossed the professor's face, "I thought you looked forward to spending Boxing Day with the Weasley's? Has something happened between you and Ms. Weasley?"
"No, we're good. At least for now we're good but I'm not sure how she's going to take it when I tell her I'm going to a ball at Malfoy's house. I'll still spend the day with her but I won't be able to stay for supper," Harry leaned against the bedpost with his hands stuffed in his pockets.
"What has brought about this change of plans?"
Harry shrugged, "I don't know. I guess I just feel like it's the right thing to do. Dumbledore's going and I'm pretty sure you're going," Harry said the last with a small grin. He remembered the lipstick mark on Severus' collar when the man had emerged from yesterdays 'talk' with Narcissa.
Severus tried to hide his discomfit over being caught by his teenaged son, "You are correct, I do intend on escorting Narcissa to her ball. As much as I detest that sort of event I also feel it is the right thing to do. I do not like the Slytherin children to be looked upon as mini death eaters. Hopefully this show of support will help to breach that divide."
"Do you think Draco will be let back into Hogwarts?"
"Perhaps. However we will have to see how the evening unfolds."
Severus looked to be in deep thought as he paced a bit and rubbed his chin with his long fingers.
"What's the matter? Don't you think I should go?" Harry asked.
The Potion Master stopped pacing and looked at his son. "Yes, I think you should go if that is your decision. However, I must now arrange extra security if you are to attend."
"Dad, I think you go a little overboard with that security stuff," Harry said in an exasperated voice.
Severus narrowed his eyes, "Your lax attitude is precisely the reason I must go overboard with your safekeeping. Or do you forget the so called adventures you have participated in? I honestly do not believe I have ever met a boy more prone to mishap."
"See, that's just it … I'm not a boy any longer," Harry said as he stood up a little straighter.
"You are still a minor … and my son. As such I am responsible for your safekeeping," Severus stated sternly.
Harry felt a mixture of gratitude and irritation. He liked the fact that he actually had a father that cared enough about him to see to his safety. He didn't like the fact that his father didn't trust him enough to stay out of trouble though.
"I won't do anything stupid. You don't trust me very much, do you?" Harry's accusing tone was apparent.
Severus was not in the mood to deal with this bout of teenage angst, "You forget… I have been dealing with your antics for six years. I am well aware of how trouble finds you."
Harry opened his mouth to protest when the professor put up a hand and said, "I am not going to argue this any longer. Are you still planning on going to the Weasley's or not?"
"Yeah."
Severus raised an eyebrow at Harry's petulant tone, "Do not test my patience, Mr. Potter."
"Yes sir," Harry said begrudgingly.
"Fine, then I will take you to the Weasley's."
"You don't have to take me. Bloody hell, I'm sixteen, not six!"
Severus advanced on Harry in a flash. Harry instinctively backed up. Severus hadn't seen him do that in quite a while. He also saw the flash of fear cross his son's face. He slowed his movement down but still took hold of Harry's chin, forcing the teen to look at him.
"Let us get something straight, Harry. I do not expect this insolence from you every single time you leave this house. I will deem what is appropriate safety measures and you will adhere to what I decide. This is the last time I want to hear you argue about this topic," Severus said in a dangerous tone. He tightened his grip when Harry tried to pull away. "Do I make myself clear?"
Harry was bristling at being held in place this way. Part of him wanted to say ' bugger off' but he knew better. He couldn't hide the anger he felt over being forced to accept this. "Yes sir," came his quiet response.
Severus let go of Harry abruptly, causing the teen to stumble forward into him. He caught the teen by the shoulders and held him for a moment. Harry didn't move as he looked down, his hands were pressed against his father's chest. They both froze for a long moment before Severus finally spoke.
"Keeping you from harms way is all I wish. I still have nightmares …" Severus acknowledged in a whisper. "I haven't done a very good job of keeping you safe …"
Harry looked up into his father's eyes. He could see the man struggle to bring his emotions under control. It had never occurred to him that Severus was feeling guilty. He never blamed Severus for anything that had happened to him.
"It's okay …I'm okay, you know?" Harry asked, wanting to let his father know that no permanent damage had been done.
Harry felt Severus' long fingers rifle through his hair before he was let go. They moved apart without another word.
Just before they stepped in the floo to go to the Weasley's home, Severus finally spoke, "It will take time before I can relax where you are concerned. Bear with me, son."
Harry nodded and realized that this was all part of the package of having a father. All in all, it was worth it.
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Harry stepped through the floo and into the Weasley home. He was immediately accosted by Ginny as she jumped on him and wrapped her legs around his body and her arms around his neck. He held her close as her brothers shouted out rude comments and good natured jokes. The next instant the room fell silent. Harry suddenly realized why when he felt a hand rest on his shoulder. Ginny saw the professor and immediately unwrapped her legs from around her boyfriend and stepped away.
Arthur and Molly came into the kitchen at that very moment and welcomed the professor. Harry noticed the Weasley brothers shoot each other glances of feigned horror over having their Boxing Day invaded by Snape.
"Severus, what a wonderful surprise. We're so happy you could join us today," Molly said.
Severus smirked at the Weasley youth before relieving their apparent alarm, "I am not staying. I came to re-enforce the wards whilst my son is here. I should inform you that there are several aurors on the premises as we speak."
Arthur frowned but nodded approvingly. Molly looked a bit worried over all the added security measures. Harry bit back the remark he wanted to make over having so many people watching out for him. He had no idea he would have a whole battalion of people watching out for him.
"I suppose it is for the best," Arthur said.
Molly looked at Harry with worry, "I don't blame you for being so cautious Severus. We'll keep a close eye on him, won't we boys?" Molly looked to her brood of sons. They all nodded back and added a few comments that made Harry redden with embarrassment. He'd killed Voldemort for goodness sake, he didn't need teenagers watching out for him.
Severus went outside to work on the wards with Mr. and Mrs., Weasley following behind.
The Weasley boys gave Harry a hard time for having to be babysat once again and for his recent time spent as a child. Harry laughed at their jokes after his initial bout of shame wore off. Hermione told everyone how Ron made little Harry cry. Ginny kept talking about how cute Harry was when he was little. With every comment Hermione and Ginny made it gave the Weasley brothers more fuel to add to the fire.
"Shut up you guys! Stop making fun of him!" Ginny wrapped her arms around her boyfriend and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Yeah, you guys better shut up or I'll send Sirius over to hex you all into toddlers," Harry added as he ran his fingers through his girlfriend's hair. It smelled fresh, and he loved the way it felt on his hand. He wasn't really bothered by the Weasley brothers good natured ribbing.
Severus walked back into the house with the Weasley parents. He waved his wand around a few times sending purple bright lights shooting in all directions.
"That spell will alert me if there has been an intrusion. If any unexpected events take place, I kindly ask you to send Harry through the floo and back to Snape Manor. I will be available at all times. The Aurors are ordered to protect my son at all costs. If there is…" Severus was abruptly cut off by Harry.
Harry grabbed hold of his father's arm and steered him towards the floo. "Dad, I think I know what to do if an emergency arises. Why don't you get back to your lab or whatever it is you planned to do today?"
Molly took in a sharp breath, "Severus you are welcomed to stay as long as you want."
Harry gave the professor a pleading look before the potion master replied, "Harry is right. I will be expecting you by six o'clock." Severus went through the floo before he caused the teen any further embarrassment.
Everyone looked at Harry questioningly. Harry glanced at Ginny, "Sorry, I have to leave a bit earlier than planned."
Ron asked, "Why? What could be more important than Boxing Day at the Weasley's?"
"You're not going to believe this but I have to go to a ball. In the long run it could help Draco," Harry hoped everyone understood but by Ron's look of dismay, he doubted it.
"Oh yes," Arthur said, "I heard about the ball at the Malfoy's. I hope it helps to bring peace. I think your attendance might actually help Draco. I know Professor Dumbledore is hoping it will help."
"How could Harry going to a ball at Malfoy's house help anything?" Ron asked.
"Ron, Professor Dumbledore himself is going to Malfoy Manor to show his support for peace. Harry's presence will make a big impact," Arthur put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "I know Severus tries to protect you against the public but you should know how admired you have become."
Ginny remembered all the letters Harry had received and just how admired her boyfriend had become. She wanted to spend some time alone with Harry before Quidditch began. She stepped closer to Harry and took hold of his hand.
"Fine, if Harry has to leave early then I want to spend a few minutes alone with him. I need to give him his Christmas present," Ginny said as she pulled him towards the staircase.
Mrs. Weasley nodded her approval but Charlie looked as if he might protest. He got distracted when Fleur Delecore arrived through the floo. They had been dating and things were said to be getting pretty serious.
Harry could hear the fuss being made over the half veela before Ginny shut the door to her bedroom. She pushed Harry towards the bed before jumping on him once more. Harry fell back on the bed as his girlfriend straddled his hips. He looked up at her and could see she was smiling in a naughty way. He pulled her down so they were chest to chest and he began to kiss her soundly.
"Just a minute," Ginny said as she sat up and got off the bed. She rifled through her trunk until she found what she was looking for. When she turned back around she was holding a small package wrapped in red paper with a gold bow.
Harry leaned up on the stack of pillows behind him and stretched his legs out on the bed. Ginny handed him the gift.
"It's not much but I thought you might like it," Ginny said as she pushed her hair behind her ears. She felt her stomach flutter with nerves over what Harry would think of the gift.
The gift was small but heavy. Harry had no idea what it could be. He tore off the paper then opened the box. He lifted out a small round glass globe. When he held it up he could see an image of himself and Ginny taken at the her last birthday party. The tiny figures danced then stopped and looked at each other with happiness before the scene started over. Harry remembered the moment that picture was taken. He remembered the happiness he felt too.
"Gin, this is so special. You looked spectacular that night," Harry said then he placed the crystal ball on the nightstand. "You always look spectacular."
"You really like it? Ron said it was a gift only a girl could appreciate."
"Ron's a git, of course I love it! It's a picture of you, how could I not love it?" Harry pulled her close, "Come here, let me show you how much I love it." He kissed her neck before moving to her lips.
She sat up once more and looked down at him through narrowed eyes, "So, your going to a ball tonight, huh? Is Miss Snootypants going with you?"
Harry laughed, "You mean Charlet? Yeah, she's going. She's been talking about her dress and shoes incessantly, it's starting to wear on my nerves."
"She's so awful! I can't stand that bitch," Ginny blurted out, with thoughts of her handsome boyfriend dancing with Charlet!
Harry laughed again, "She's not that bad. I kinda feel sorry for her. I mean she's been abandoned and all."
"Do you like her, Harry?"
"I don't hate her," Harry said, wondering why Ginny was getting so bothered by the girl. He could tell Ginny wanted him to say 'no' just by the way she had moved away from him and sat a little stiffer.
"Hey Gin, what's wrong? You know you're the only girl I like," Harry tried to pull her next to him but she refused. He sat up, not sure what to say to alleviate her anger at him. He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek.
Just then the bedroom door slammed open causing Ginny to jump in surprise. Ron walked in followed by Hermione and the twins.
"Break it up you two!" Ron said and took a seat on Ginny's trunk before pulling Hermione onto his lap.
"Sorry guys, I told him to knock first," Hermione said as an apology.
"Yeah and I told him not to," George said as he sat at the foot of the bed. "You two shouldn't be doing anything more than holding hands!"
Ginny stood up and threw a pillow at George, hitting him on the side of the head, "Knock first next time you ruddy git!"
George threw the pillow back hitting Ginny in the face. Within moments pillows were flying all over the room. Harry finally got everyone to settle down when he announced that it was time for him to give out his Christmas gifts.
He stuck his hand in his shirt pocket and pulled forth a handful of what looked like sticks. "Girls, I apologize for not having anything for you yet. Hopefully my dad will let me go to Diagon Alley this week. As you saw earlier, he's being a bit over protective at the moment."
"It's okay Harry, you've been pretty busy lately," Hermione said. "Besides I don't blame the professor for feeling that way."
Ginny took hold of his hand and rubbed it, "I don't need anymore gifts from you." Harry was glad she wasn't mad at him anymore but wondered what had triggered it to begin with.
"Mates, before I give you your presents I just want you to know that I didn't buy any of them. They were all gifts from people I don't know."
"It's the thought that counts," Fred teased.
Harry opened his hand and picked out an orange colored stick, "Ron this is for you."
Ron looked down at the stick in his hand then looked back up at Harry, "What the bloody hell is it?"
Harry stood up then pulled his wand from his back pocket and tapped the stick. As the stick began to enlarge the Weasley brothers slowly caught on to what it was. With a loud whoop of joy Ron yelled out, "It's a bloody Firebolt and it's … it's signed by the Chudley Cannons!!!"
"Whoa, no way!" Fred yelled.
"Thank you, thank you!" Ron shouted as he jumped on Harry, much like Ginny had done when he had first arrived. Harry lost his balance and they tumbled onto the bed.
"Get off my boyfriend!" Ginny shouted in a fit of laughter. She pushed Ron off the bed and onto the floor before helping Harry to sit up. Once he did she sat on his lap.
"There's only one Weasley allowed to jump on top of me," Harry declared as he wrapped his arms around Ginny's waist then kissed the back of her head.
He tossed a stick to Fred and then another to George, "Merry Christmas guys."
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Charlet knew Vespa was trying to contact her once again. She was getting sick and tired of being summoned by that woman. Vespa was relentless in her pursuit of Severus. Charlet held the mirror up other face, "Yes?" The one word was said in a curt tone.
"Don't take that attitude with me girl!" Vespa hissed from her side of the mirror. "Have you come any closer to finding it?"
Charlet sighed, "No Auntie I haven't found it yet. I've been searching everywhere but I can't find it!"
"Well then you must search again! You must find it and soon! It is in the bedroom, I just know it is."
Charlet stuck out her lower lip, she could feel the tears begin to prickle her eyes and welcomed the added drama, "Auntie I'm busy! I have to get ready for the ball tonight. I don't have time to search again today."
Vespa wished she could come through the mirror and search herself. She knew the only way to motivate the girl was to offer a reward, "I sent you five gowns in which to choose from for tonight's ball. If you find it today then I will send you a matching diamond necklace for each gown."
Charlet's eyes lit up, "Oh Auntie! I'll find it, I just know I will!"
A moment later found Charlet hiding under the invisibility cloak as she walked down the hallway and into Severus' bedroom once more. This time she was more determined than ever to find what she was looking for.
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Vespa put the mirror back in her pocket and looked across the table at her new friend. She could see the doubt on the woman's face.
"Do not underestimate my Charlet. She will find it," Vespa took another sip from her steaming cup of tea.
"I will have to trust you on that. Without it we have no bargaining tool," Bella was holding onto her sanity by a thread. She had only one goal in mind; seek revenge for the Dark Lord's death.
She couldn't wait to get her hands on that filthy half blood fool, Harry Potter. Vespa had promised her that he would be handed over to her. She had dreams over what she would do to the boy. In her dreams his screams became a lullaby to help her sleep. She craved the sound of his screams to the point of madness.
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The afternoon had been one of the best Harry had in long time. The Quidditch match had been exactly what he needed to begin to feel like his old self once more. Most days he had to occlude his mind of all that had happened to him this past year. To dwell on his life would have been too much to take. He still found himself reliving his time spent at the graveyard. His mind sometimes refused to let go of the memories. It was those times that he would close his eyes and pretend he was flying on his broom. Eventually the memories would fade, letting him be 'normal' once more.
He flew over the burrow once more before coming in to a hard land by the Weasley clan. As soon as he landed he was waylaid by a flurry of snowballs. He quickly grabbed up a scoop of snow and threw it at the closest Weasley brother.
A snowball dripped down George's face as he grabbed another scoop of snow, "Game on, Harry!"
Harry ducked just before the snowball went flying over his head. The uproarious laughter stopped abruptly. Harry looked into his friend's eyes. George was looking somewhere behind him with an expression of horror. He noticed the rest of the Weasley's with the same look.
He turned around to come face to face with his father. Severus had a glob of snow sliding down the front of his dress robes and a look that could kill. Harry stepped back before he gathered his courage.
"Hi … what are you doing here?"
Severus brushed off the snow before looking down at his watch.
Harry quickly looked down at his own watch. "Oh shit, it's 6:30!"
"Indeed, it is 6:30," came the dark voice. "We are now late."
Harry could hear the irritation in Severus' voice mixed with a fair amount of anger. "I lost track of time."
"Obviously." the word was said with irritation. " I have brought your dress robes. We will need to apparate directly to the Malfoy Manor from here," Severus looked at Harry's messy hair and rumbled clothes with disapproval.
Harry noticed the dress robes hung over his father's arm, "Alright, I'll go clean up and change."
"That will not be necessary. I will do it for you," Severus pulled his wand from his cloak.
Before Harry had time to protest he found himself dressed in midnight green dress robes with his expensive fur cloak over his shoulders. He felt a soft wind spread up his body and whip around his hair. In one horrifying instant he realized his father had sent a scourgifing charm his way. In other words he had been given a magical bath as all his friends stood around watching!
His friend's sniggered under their breath before the back door opened up and Charlet stepped out onto the porch. She was wearing a shimmery green velvet gown encrusted with diamonds across the bodice. She had on matching long silk gloves that reached past her elbows. Her hair was piled high on her head with a diamond tiara perched at the base.
Harry heard several low whistles come from behind him.
Charlet had a look on her face as if something smelled bad. She narrowed her eyes at Harry, "You're late! I told Severus we should just go without you but he insisted we come get you. Are you going to make me wait around this shack forever? I don't want my gown to get soiled."
"Shut up Charlet," Harry looked up at his father. He was angry that Severus had brought Charlet to the Weasley's. He hated the way she looked down on them because they were poor. "Dad, you should have just fire called. I could have just met you guys at the ball."
"You should have just been on time. You know how much I disapprove of your tardiness." Severus placed a firm hand on Harry's shoulder and guided him to the porch to stand next to Charlet.
Charlet was blatantly staring at Ginny. She sneered at the girl's worn jeans and overcoat, not to mention her ratty, worn out shoes.
Ginny felt her face flush. She looked towards Harry and could see what everyone else must see. He was not only a hero and heir to Snape fortune now but he was also one of the most handsome men she had ever laid eyes on. The expensive green robes fit him as if they had been made for him. It suddenly occurred to her that they probably had been made especially for Harry. It was at that moment that she began to feel self conscious of all that she didn't have. How could she ever compete with girls like Charlet who had actual diamonds on her dress!
Charlet grabbed hold of Harry's arm possessively while looking directly at Ginny. "Shall we leave? I'm feeling a bit chilled out in the open air."
Without thinking about it, Harry unclasped the fur cloak he was wearing and swung it over Charlet's shoulders. He did it instinctively without thinking of the consequences. When he looked back at Ginny he knew he had made a colossal mistake. Her eyes looked back at him accusingly. He wished he could take the cloak back.
"Could I speak with Ginny before we leave?" Harry asked as he moved away from Charlet.
"You have one minute," came Severus' terse reply.
Ginny tried to hide the way she was feeling but it was harder than she ever imagined. Harry held a hand out to her and she took it. They walked into the house and stood near the kitchen.
"Gin, I don't want to go but I think I should … you know for Draco's sake…"
"I know, Harry! Merlin, you don't have to explain anything to me!"
"I know I don't have to but I just don't want you thinking that I would choose to go to the ball instead of spending time with you. I want to help Draco," he could tell she seemed to be getting angrier but he really didn't have a clue as to why. In frustration he said, "What did you expect me to do?"
Ginny was near tears, "To ask me! Why the bloody hell didn't you ask me to go to the ball too? I'm not good enough for you to be seen with anymore!?" Now tears had sprung to Ginny's eyes that she had no control over.
Harry took hold of both her arms and tried to pull her closer, "Ginny, I would have asked you but I didn't think you would want to go. I didn't think you would feel comfortable going back to the manor where Lucius had brought you."
Ginny pulled her arms away with a sharp yank, "You should have let me decide! Maybe you just wanted time alone with Charlet! Maybe you just wanted to be with someone prettier, with nicer clothes and better …"
Harry cut her off from saying anything else as ridiculous as all that. He tried to take hold of her hands but she backed up. "Gin no! Don't say that! Don't ever think that!" He was disturbed that she could even think of him being that way. He wasn't that type of person. He didn't care a hoot about money or any of that stuff. It bothered him that she would think he was like that. "You know that stuff doesn't mean anything to me."
"Oh yeah, I couldn't tell that by looking at you," Ginny indicated towards the clothes he now wore. "You dress nicer than Malfoy now!"
"That's not my fault! I didn't even buy these clothes!"
Ginny knew she was being unreasonable but her feelings were just so hurt over not being asked to the ball. She took her anger out on the person she felt most responsible for the way she was feeling. "Just go. Go have fun at the ball with Charlet!"
"Ginny, come with me then. Just get ready and come with me," Harry offered, not really knowing what she wanted at this point.
Ginny felt her anger take over at his last words. Obviously she didn't have the proper attire to wear to something as fancy as a ball at the Malfoy's! Maybe he was just trying to make her see how unrealistic it was for her to attend the ball? With a fair amount of resentment she spat out, "Forget it Harry! We should have never gotten back together. We're just to different now. I think we should take a break from each other."
As soon as the words left her mouth she regretted saying them. She could see that she had hurt Harry deeply by the stricken look on his face. Before she could take the words back though, the back door opened and Professor Snape and Charlet walked in.
"It is time we leave," the professor said. He took hold of Harry's arm with one hand and Charlet's arm with the other. In a flash they had apparated away.
The next moment Ginny found herself standing in the kitchen by herself.
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TBC
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