The Sign

Chapter 11

Fleur

June 5

It was late morning before they all stirred with groans and moans. A dose of Pepper-Up helped, but they still had headaches when they returned to Grimmauld Place. The sight that greeted them in the kitchen banished the pain away.

The table was strewn carefully with a new set of intricate, and highly detailed drawings of the changes. The elves must have been listening.

Kreature silently stepped out of his cupboard, "Master? We have finished your drawings." He said, breaking Harry out of his daze. "Does it please you?

Harry just nodded as he looked from one to another.

"They're wonderful, just perfect, thank you Kreature." Ginny answered politely.

"Wow, these are great." Ron shuffled through the papers. "What's next

"Harry, it's your house. What do you think?" Ginny questioned.

"Again, No! It's not my house. Ginny, it's your house. Well, it's ours together. But you know me. I don't really care." He was trying to be honest. He was too overwhelmed to be able to give a full opinion.

"I…I can't. Harry, it's all too much." She tried to find the words, a bubble of anxiety building again. "I've felt like I've been playing house with my dolls until now. But it's hitting me. I don't know what to do." She wiped her hand over her face, while trying not to stare all the papers. "We need to decide this together."

There was silence for far too long. The Hermione decided to take charge once again. "Alright. Let's work on this all together. "So, Ginny, keep pretending. If this were a game, what would you want to do?"

Ginny sat still and thought, then nodded to herself. She laughed, "Okay. Harry, if I suggest something you don't like, you speak up, okay?"

He nodded. He was more than happy to give the reigns over to her.

"I think we need to assign the rooms next, Okay?" Ginny didn't even look up, she concentrated on several design pages that were catching her eye. "Okay. Now, Hermione and Ron. This will be your home also. I was thinking of letting you have the whole second floor. That's where the old master room is. Will that work for you?"

"The whole floor?" Ron exclaimed, "Wow, thanks."

"The second floor? That's the library too!" Hermione tugged on Ron's sleeve in excitement.

"Harry, that okay?" Ginny asked cautiously.

Harry lit up, "Brilliant. Guys, you look at the plan and decide what you want. It's your space. And Luna. I know we haven't said anything. But well, what do you think of moving in also? Give you a home base." He felt generous. It was easy, when money and space were available. Ginny's smile let him know he made the right decision.

"Home base?" Luna brought her big eyes up and stared unblinking at Harry. "A home?"

"Well yeah. Unless you have somewhere else to go during breaks. You'll need some place to live."

She couldn't say anything. Her eyes were too filled with tears to see. The others gave her the time to gather herself together. "I…I would like to live here, very much. Thank you."

"How about you take the small room on the first floor until we do the big change. You'd share a bathroom. Would that work?" Ginny asked softly. "For later, you chose something on one of the upper floors, your choice."

The smile, the first real smile since she came back into their lives, lit the whole kitchen.

When emotions seemed to calm again, Ginny continued, "The attic we should leave for storage but the roof deck off it? I think it would be great to have a place just to sit and relax. What do you guys think?"

"Sure. Sounds great!" Ron mumbled, still in shock of having a whole floor to themselves.

"That leaves just the extra rooms. Any ideas there?" Ginny held up the plan for that floor.

"Not me, why not just keep 'em ready for any visitors or whoever needs a room?" Harry put in.

"Sounds good! Plain and simple." Ginny stood and dealt out the plans to the right people. "All that's left is the kitchen. I should do that with Kreature."

"I didn't know you were a kitchen person." Harry teased.

"I couldn't be my mother's daughter without knowing how to cook. Even the boys know how to cook simple meals." Ginny laughed.

"You…you knew how to cook, yet I did so much of it!" Hermione gently punched Ron on the arm.

"Ow woman! I know how to cook, with Mum standing over my shoulder." Ron rubbed his arm.

Ginny took a deep breath and continued, "Okay. Let's make notes on everything. It's time for the details. We should get this part done by afternoon."

Harry stood and held out his hand, "Our room or the Sitting room?"

"Yeah, Sitting room first. come on." She led Harry up into the large room and pointed to the span of shelving that went from one end of the room to the other. She thought for a moment, "First, I want most of these china display shelves taken down, maybe keep just a few for books and decorations. Like that section near the fireplace? Then I want that fireplace redone. Those black stone snakes give me the creeps. I don't know about you, but I want everything to be bright and clean looking. All this darkness is getting me down." She walked to the middle of the room, thinking. "If we can, I'd like to get rid of the interior walls. No separate entry, no hall. Open. You know, make it one large room, except for the tiny washroom there in the back. Maybe a cupboard for cloaks and such in that alcove next…" She stopped cold when she looked at Harry. He was just standing still in the doorway. "Harry? Did I say something wrong?"

He snapped himself back to attention. "Huh? Oh, yeah, you're good. I was just lost in thought." He smiled. "I was just picturing us sitting on a sofa in front of that fire, with a Christmas tree all lit next to it. Ginny, we're going to make this our home!"

"Yeah, we are." She rushed to him and threw her arms about his neck. "Just you and me, with no Mum watching us."

"No, only your brother, Hermione, and Luna." He teased.

"No problem, I'll keep them in line." She kissed him again. "Now, are you going to help me, or am I gonna plan on orange and yellow wallpaper with purple carpets?" Her look was one of daring.

"No. I'll pay attention now."

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When Kreature called lunch at One, the floors were set for short term and long-term construction. The five were not sure if they were excited or worn out. Their energy was flagging but chicken sandwiches buoyed them up.

"What's up next?" Ron asked, stuffing his face.

"I think we need to talk with Seamus" Hermione shuffled the lists again. "We're ahead of schedule, but it gets confusing."

"The great Hermione Granger is confused?" Ron teased. "How about I ask Mum to send me Pig? We can send a message."

"Good idea, Ron." Hermione kissed him.

"I get a few now and then."

Harry turned to Luna, "So, what do you have planned?"

"I need to head back to the Burrow, Mrs. Weasley needs me." She answered with a smile. "I can send Pigwigeon." She moved to the Floo, "I'll see you tonight."

"Well, I still need to meet with Kreature about the kitchen. Brodo's going to help me with that." Ginny took another bite.

"We need to find that building supply store." Harry wrote on his notepad while talking. "We're supposed to choose stuff for the short term. Eventually, we're to choose stuff for the long term. Seamus gave us a recommendation, but no contact or address information."

"It's going to take a while for Seamus to get back to us. Hermione, would you like to go shopping with me? There's a few things I need to pick up." Ginny asked, as if it were no big deal.

"Sure, it'll be good to get out. Guys? Will you be okay on your own?" Hermione stood and stretched.

"Sure. Mum mentioned she needed some yard work done on the far back orchard." Ron hated admitting it, but it did have to be done. A drainage ditch was blocked where a tree had fallen. It would only take an hour, but he had promised over a week ago.

"We won't be gone too late. We'll meet you here maybe 6 or 6:30." Ginny said as they walked out the front door.

"So, where to?" Hermione asked, thinking Diagon Alley or similar place.

"I was thinking Shell Cottage." Ginny smirked.

"Why there?" Hermione was searching to be sure she had her money.

"I want to get Harry a special wedding gift. You might want to do the same. Is there anything Ron wants?"

Hermione laughed "I'm not sure. He doesn't need clothes, we just got him some. He already has an owl. When I asked him if he needs anything, he just tosses me into the be…. well, I guess that's all he wants." She grinned while blushing slightly.

Ginny got a wicked grin forming on her face. "We have hours before we meet the guys. There's something I think you and he would like."

"And what might that be?" Hermione shifted her bag to the other shoulder.

Ginny grinned hard, "Fleur!" She exclaimed.

"Fleur?" Hermione didn't follow. Her new sister must be getting crazy. "Give the guys Fleur?"

"No Silly, but who better? Think about it. Wedding nights. A French Veela, married to my rutting idiot of a brother. If anyone knows what to buy to make our guys feel special, it would be her. Let's go see her."

"Just drop in?"

"Sure! If we hear squeals or moans, we'll just sneak away."

With hard laughter, Ginny held onto Hermione's arm and they were transported to Shell Cottage. There were no unseemly sounds, only Fleur sitting on the tiny porch, sipping tea and watching the waves.

As they stepped through the protective barrier, she looked up and ran to meet them. "What wonderful timing! I was all lonely and sorry for myself when I see you. You have made my day happy." She embraced them and kissed their cheeks.

"Why so blue?" Ginny asked.

"Bill, he was called to go to Egypt shree days for work. I am bored." Fleur opened the door to the cottage and beckoned them in. "But why are you here?"

"We came for a favor. Would you take us shopping?" Ginny smiled sweetly, which Fleur had learned meant something was up.

"I always enjoy shopping. What do you hope to buy?" The woman asked, smiling.

Ginny giggled, "We're getting betrothed, and I for sure don't want Harry to see me wearing homemade knickers and a year-old bra. I also don't think an old flannel nightie is very romantic." Ginny turned to Hermione, "I'm sure Ron has seen your tidy-whities, but how about something to knock his socks off."

Hermione was shocked to attention, she had been studying the contents of the table next to her. She smiled and nodded, not really knowing what Ginny's question was.

"Ahhh, romance. Why did I not sink on zat? Of course, you need honeymoon clothes!" Fleur quickly slid a pair of flats on her feet and grabbed her bag. "Come, let us, as you say, knock zeir socks off."

Hermione mentioned the store she was thinking of going to, but Fleur had something else in mind. "No, no. We don't want your mama's lingerie. I know where we can find just what we want. Hold my arm, please."

Indeed, it was not a staid and somber store that she had brought them. No, it was a boutique filled with tables and displays of garments Ginny never knew existed but had no doubts of their intended purpose.

Fleur walked right up to a saleslady. "Pardon. zese two ladies are to be wed to zeir fiancé's in a week. zey wish to feel feminine and sexy. I wish for zem to have a new trousseau."

The woman smiled big, "Congratulations. Come this way and we'll see what we can do. Oh Catherine! Might I have some help?"

Hours later, the three walked out of the store with heavy bags dripping off their hands. Even Fleur had made a few delicate purchases, to greet Bill's return.

The store next to the lingerie shop had a very pretty dress hanging in the window. Magenta, slinky, low cut, short hem. Ginny was enamored. Fleur followed her line of sight and shook her head. "Eet eez a lovely dress, but ze color is so wrong for you. Come, let us find zee perfect dress for you."

Sure enough, they soon left, with more bags and several dress boxes. Fleur had steered them towards a few classic lines and also some dresses that they would have never considered but fell in love with once they were on.

Ginny's was a light blue cotton. The peasant style bodice hung low almost off the shoulders and the long-layered skirt brushed the floor.

Hermione chose a dark royal blue dress that had a covering of sky-blue lace. It was tight to the hips then flaired slightly at the floor with a slit to just above the knee in the center.

Ginny never really liked dresses and frilly robes, but with the other girls help, she learned that feeling pretty did amazing things to her mood.

"These will be perfect for your betrothal. No? Casual but very sexy." The older girl was quite pleased with their transformations.

They were about to enter another store when Hermione spied the clock that hung on the wall. "Ginny! We're going to be late! We told the guys we'd meet them in just a half hour."

"We'd better go then. Fleur, this has been great fun. Thanks so much." Ginny looked at all the packages, "Oh, but we don't want the guys to see all this!"

'Don't worry. I will hold onto zem where zey can be safe." She held out her arm again, "Quick, no one eez looking."

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Right on time, Hermine and Ginny stepped back in the house, carrying only half the bags they had before. There they saw Harry, Ron and Seamus and large bags of curry take-out.

When the food was mere memories, Seamus patted his full belly. "Harry and Ron have shown me around. I'm impressed. I've looked over the drawings and only have a few other suggestions." He pushed his plate aside and gathered the stack of plans and spread them out.

"I'm hoping we were going in the right direction." Harry pushed his plate further away, ready to get down to business.

"So far, this is just what I need. Are you going to get the tapestry off or will it just go away when the house gets done?"

"We can't get it off. Permanent Sticking Charm." Ginny explained. "The tapestry, the portrait and the posters in the upper room are all stuck on. Will that be a problem?"

"Problem? Nah. We'll just get rid of the walls. How are you getting on with samples?" Seamus began making notes right on the fresh plans.

"To tell the truth, we don't even know where to begin." Harry shrugged his shoulders. Where do we go? What do we look for?" He remembered when Aunt Petunia had the kitchen and lounge redone and how she had wallpaper and paint chips pinned to the walls for weeks. "Do you just need paint chips, or actual jars of paint?"

"Oh, yeah. I forgot, didn't I? I'm used to people who had things all planned out in advance. I have a guy, a squib, owns a builder supply." Seamus dug through his jacket pockets. "Ah, here it is."

He set down a crumpled advertisement for building materiel. The headline over the colorful photo said, 'Kelly's Construction Supply. You'd Think We're Magic!'

"Just go talk with Bob Kelly. He'll walk you through. Bring these plans and any notes you might have."

"Oh, yes, you had his name on the lists, but only the name." Hermione piped up.

"Sorry, I guess I need to fix that." He looked over some more of the intricate plans again. "Blimey, I should hire some of these elves, I've never worked with such pretty blueprints."

"I still need to work on the kitchen. I was thinking of doing that in the morning." Ginny explained. "I'm hoping to get advice."

Seamus looked around the large room. He got up and walked slowly, looking into cupboards, Kreature's den, then he pulled out a tape measurer and took a few measurements. "I have a few ideas for short term and long term. Let me draw them up and I'll owl them over in the morning."

Through the evening, Seamus talked them through more of the plans. He suggested a change here, a design flaw there. All the while taking notes on the diagrams. Seamus also brought up an advert for a storage unit where purchased and saved items could be held until his crew installs it. Again, owned by a squib.

O0o0o0o0o0

It was late again when they got back to the Burrow. Only Luna was up, quietly sipping tea. When she saw them, she sweetly smiled, "Your Mum and Dad are in bed. They said they'll see you at breakfast. Oh! You have packages!"

"What did mum have you do today?" Ginny asked as she sorted out everything she was carrying.

"I had to plan my dad's funeral." She answered, her head held high, as if she was managing well. "Will you be there? It's day after tomorrow, Sunday."

"Certainly, we'll be there." Ginny set everything down and hugged her friend. "Family always sticks together at times like these."

"It's nice to have family. I don't feel so alone anymore."

"Oh, I can't forget. I got you something also." Ginny dug through a bag some more.

"Something for me? But why?" Luna looked perplexed.

"Because you are Luna, that's why. Just stand there and close your eyes. Hold out your hands, yes, like that." Ginny placed a forest green dress with tight bodice and big flowy skirt, into her arms, "Now look." She stepped back so all could see Luna's reaction.

Luna's eyes opened slowly, as if afraid. Then they grew large. "It's…it's beautiful." She whispered. "I love it. I shall wear it on Sunday."