Ginny and Harry joined the rest of the Weasley's and Sirius for lunch. Fred was the first to ask with a bit of a smirk on his face, "Did you two sort everything out?" Harry nodded and murmured, "Yeah, thanks." George chuckled and said, "Lovers spat?" This comment made Ginny tense. She retorted quickly, "Nope. Besides, I don't think Cho would be too pleased if she heard you saying that about us when we're just friends."
They piled some pasta and mince onto their plates and ate quickly. Ginny noticed Sirius watching them closely before she began eating and she paid no attention to it. She wondered idly if he suspected something. Ginny asked suddenly, "Where's mum?" Ron said through a mouthful, "She we' back to the hospital." He swallowed and continued, "She came home to cook lunch and she's gonna come back soon to take us there. Mad-Eye and Tonks are coming here to escort us to the hospital using the Underground." Both Harry and Ginny nodded and they finished their food quickly.
Minutes later, mum came bustling through the fire place and she looked exhausted. She glanced between Harry and Ginny tensely and asked worriedly, "You two made up?" Ginny nodded, feeling bad for putting her mother through such stress. She smiled gently and whispered, "Yeah, don't worry mum we argue like this all the time and you have enough on your plate. Don't worry about us." She smiled gratefully and nodded, "Thank you, dear. Are you all ready to go? Mad-Eye and Tonks should be here any minute…"
Ten minutes later, the fire blazed bright and Moody and Tonks appeared. Ron chuckled at Moody's hat which was covering his eye to hide from the public and Tonks was sporting bright pink hair. Ginny greeted Tonks with a warm hug. For some reason, they had always gotten along well. They walked from Grimmauld Place to the station and Harry helped them find the right train.
Once aboard it, Ginny sat down next to Harry and Tonks sat down on the other side. She began asking Harry a series of questions about his vision and Ginny could see that he didn't want to talk about it. Discreetly, so that her brothers couldn't see, she slipped her hand into Harry's one closest to her and she saw him visibly relax. She couldn't help but smile.
When the train came to a stop, they walked through a few crowded shopping streets and then arrived at an abandoned building. Tonks spoke to a manikin in the shop and Ginny frowned as it nodded. Tonks took ahold of her and her mum and pulled them through the glass window. The reception area was swarming with people who had odd looking problems. The first time Ginny had come to St Mungo's, she'd had Mumblemumps when she was about five years old. She could only mumble because her neck had swollen, preventing her from talking properly.
Harry, Moody, the twins, and Ron joined them minutes later and Harry looked around with great interest. It was then that she realized he'd probably never been here before. There was a lady with a long elephant trunk protruding from her nose and Ginny giggled as Harry did a double take. Her mother led them to the enquiries desk and they waited in a queue for some time. The man in front of them had marks all over his face and seemed to be rather green in color. Ginny whispered to Harry, "He's got Dragon Pox. I recognize it because Charlie has told me how often people get it when they work with Peruvian Vipertooth's. Luckily he doesn't look too green though.
Once the man with the Dragon Pox had been attended to, her mum stepped up and said, "Afternoon. I'm here to see my husband, Arthur Weasley. He moved wards this morning." The lady nodded and gave directions. When they reached the ward, Tonks suggested family first. They all shuffled in but Harry lingered back. Her mum grabbed his arm and pulled him in.
When Ginny saw her dad, she got a bit of a fright. She had known to expect him looking in poor condition, but not this bad. He had bandages all over and she quickly ran to him and he held out his arm and squeezed her tightly, "There, there Gin," he whispered and she smiled as he sounded rather strong. She glanced around and noticed two other patients in the room. Ginny asked worriedly, "How are you dad?" He shrugged his shoulders and grinned at her, "I'm fine, I'm fine! When they take the bandages off, I can come home." That's when George asked concernedly, "Why can't they take them off dad?" Her dad grinned as if it was the funniest thing in the world, "Every time I try, I start bleeding." They all glanced around at each other tensely and Ginny sighed.
Her dad waved his wand and six chairs appeared for them all to sit on. He began telling them about the other patients in his ward as they took their places and how they were far worse off than him. Typical of her dad- try to make light of a serious situation. She smiled at how unperturbed he seemed though. Then he said quickly, "Oh Molly! I almost forgot! Bill's going to pop in tonight. You just missed him!" That made her smile from ear to ear. She'd missed Bill and Charlie so much recently. Especially Charlie in her moments of feeling alone and lost. He was her biggest source of comfort.
Fred suddenly asked, "So what happened, dad?" He grinned and looked at Harry, who fidgeted awkwardly with his fingers, and her dad continued, "I suppose you all know the story. I was just careless and fell asleep on the job. Then a snake comes out of nowhere and…" Ron asked quickly, "Is it in the prophet? Your attack?" Her father shook his head grimly, "Nope. They wouldn't want that information seeping into the public knowledge would they? How would they explain a snake getting into the ministry?" They all nodded and George asked suddenly, "So, what were you doing there at that time of night, dad?" Her father puckered his face and replied, "Uh, I was on duty." Her mother nodded sternly and said quickly, "Right! All of you, outside please. Go to the tearoom or something. Arthur, Moody and Tonks want to talk to you." Her father nodded and they all headed outside.
Fred pulled out some extendable ears and handed out five, one to each of them as he, "Here we go. If they won't tell us, we'll find out anyway." They all put the plastic ears to their real ears and Fred placed the end to the door. They heard voices trickling in and her mother was saying, "They looked everywhere and couldn't find You-Know-Who's snake. It seems to have vanished." Moody grumbled, "I think I it was checking things out. To see what's going on at the ministry. Luckily you were there Arthur. You put an obstacle in its place. I just don't understand how Potter saw it happening." Her mother replied worriedly, "Yes. I think Dumbledore knew this was going to happen. He's just been so tense around Harry recently. I think he's worried." Moody said seriously, "Obviously he is worried. You-Know-Who might be using Harry. I mean Potter actually saw Arthur being attacked. It's like he was the Snake. I know he doesn't understand…but it's likely that You-Know-Who is possessing him…"
At this they all dropped their ears and Harry stared at them, blinking furiously. Ginny knew what he was thinking. He was going to slip back into thinking he was responsible for her father's attack. He was going to blame himself. She scowled at him purposefully and when his gaze landed on her, he stopped blinking like an imbecile. She told him sternly, "Harry don't." Her brothers looked at her, surprised expressions on their faces. They were used to her being soft with Harry, but never firm with him.
Harry looked like he was about to protest when her mother popped out of the ward and beckoned them all inside. They had to pretend like they hadn't just heard the entire conversation. Ginny was the first to hug her father goodbye and the others followed suit. While the rest were saying farewell, Ginny pulled Harry out into the hallway, gently closing the door behind them and said firmly, "Harry, don't even think about letting all of that get to you! Seriously I'm not having this argument again!" He sighed and pulled her into a tight hug, "Thanks Gin. I'm sorry, it's just my automatic reaction." Ginny shook her head and sighed, "It shouldn't be."
That's when her mother popped her head in and they quickly released each other as her mother smiled kindly, "Sorry to interrupt, but Harry, Arthur wants to speak to you please." Ginny was about to move inside with him when her mother looked at her sternly, "Alone," she emphasized. Ginny rolled her eyes and sat down outside as her brothers filed out of the ward. George sighed, "Well, hopefully he'll be home by Christmas. Ron nodded in agreement and replied, "I wonder what he's saying to Harry." Fred pulled the extendable ears out of his pocket and Ginny shook her head firmly, "Oh no you don't! Mum specifically said so. Besides, the last time we used them proved to be a bad idea." Fred frowned, "What's up with you, Gin? You haven't been yourself since your fight with Harry." Her brothers smirked at each other and she shrugged her shoulders as Fred chimed in, "Awfully protective of him, isn't she?" This made her blush and she grumbled, "You guys seriously need a new topic of conversation!" The worst part was though, that they seemed to sense something was going on between herself and Harry. And when the twins sensed something, they were usually right.
When they returned to Grimmauld Place, Sirius was waiting for them in the lounge. He stood up immediately and asked, "How is Arthur?" Her mother informed him and Sirius sighed, "I expect he'll recover then. That's a relief, I guess." Harry suddenly, "Sirius, mind if I have a word please?" He nodded and they walked into a separate room. That's when Moody asked, "Could I have a butterbeer please Molly?" Her mother nodded and flew a few into the lounge.
Ginny sat down and Tonks sat beside her as she took one of the floating butterbeer's and asked, "Ginny, is Harry okay? He seems rather…distracted." Ginny nodded and sighed, "He is. He's just as concerned about the stumped between himself and Riddle as the rest of us. He's scared more than anything, I think." Tonks nodded and sighed, "And Harry's stubborn. He'll believe what he wants to believe." Ginny raised her bottle and murmured, "Cheers to that."
About half an hour later, Harry walked back in and said, "Mrs Weasley, there's a letter here from Hogwarts for you." She bustled over to him and scanned it quickly, "Ah! Hermione will be arriving this evening to spend the holiday. Good good. She can share with you, Ginny, if that's alright." For some reason this caused Ginny to glance at Harry disappointedly. She was rather hoping she could have her room to herself. Another dilemma was that with Hermione there, she knew her friend would quickly figure out the change in her relationship with Harry. She saw a similar frown cross Harry's face but she nodded anyway and said brightly, "Alright. Fine with me."
Tonks grinned at her and laughed as Ginny frowned, "What are you laughing about?" She shrugged her shoulders as she gulped down some butterbeer and replied in a whisper, "I saw that look." Ginny raized her eyebrows and asked skeptically, "What look? I didn't' give a look." Tonks chuckled and grinned, "You must certainly did. There is something more going on between yourself and Harry isn't there? A woman knows, Ginny." Ginny smirked and asked, "Oh yeah? Then how did mum not pick up on it?" The second she said it, she realized she had fallen into Tonks' trap! She put her head in hand and Tonks grinned, "Aha! I knew it! And your mum didn't realize because she's too busy worrying about your dad."
Ginny sighed as she drank some more of the tasty drink and replied, "Fine, you got me. But I want to keep it on the down low for now, ok? Nobody else knows yet." Tonks raised her pink eyebrows, "Really?" Ginny shrugged her shoulders and said, "Yeah…well Fred and George always tease me about Harry, but they've been doing that since I was eleven."
Tonks giggled and whispered, "I'm not surprised. So when did this happen?" Ginny blushed and whispered, "Just last night. We were having a row and he realized he was in the wrong. The thing is…he likes someone else at Hogwarts, so I don't know what's going to happen about that." Tonks rolled her eyes and replied with a grin on her face, "I know he will choose you. You don't have to worry about that. He's been smitten with you forever." Ginny blushed furiously and whispered, "Thanks. But this girl is part of the reason we're keeping us a secret. He's said that he'll go to Hogsmeade with her when he gets back. I don't want to give her a reason to dislike me more." Tonks asked quietly, "More?" Ginny nodded and sighed, "Long story."
That's when the fire burst into flames and Bill stepped in. He smiled bleakly around the room and went over to hug mum and told everyone, "Gringott's let me off work early. I thought I'd come and say hello to everyone." Her mum smiled happily and said, "I'm glad. Did you tell them about Arthur?" Bill nodded and replied, "Don't worry, just told the senior manager. He's trustworthy enough."
The afternoon passed slowly. They couldn't play Quidditch because they weren't allowed outside and that was holiday routine for them. They had played numerous games of exploding snap and chess. Ginny was currently playing a game of chess against Harry. She couldn't help but smile to herself when her fingers 'accidentally' touched his when moving a chess piece. He would glance up at her and grin.
Half way through the game, the flames flared and Hermione entered the room, looking tired and warn out. Everyone greeted her and she nodded at them all and said, "Hello everyone," before sitting down beside Harry and hugging him tightly. Ron rolled his eyes and said irritably, "Come off it Hermione! Let the man breathe." This called much chuckling from Fred and George, who were sitting in a corner and discussing some plans in secret. Her mum hadn't even scolded them yet. She was taking a nap in one of the chairs-passed out from rushing back and forth to the hospital.
Ron asked idly, "So…how was Hogwarts without us?" Hermione smiled briefly and murmured, "Unexciting. You two cause way too much trouble." Harry grumbled, "Anything we missed?" She nodded and replied, "I took notes for you in the subjects we share." Harry and Ron thanked her as Ginny yelled, "Check mate!" She had just moved her castle which was now blocking Harry's king, as well as her bishop. He groaned and shook his head as he murmured, "The day I win a match against a Weasley…" Ron and Ginny both laughed and high fived each other. Hermione nodded and grinned, "Same here Harry. I'll never beat them."
The clock chimed five o clock and her mum rubbed her eyes and asked, "Good heaven's is that the time? I better get cracking with the dinner!" Sirius stood up quickly and shook his head, "No Molly. You relax. You've done enough. Plus you said you're going to visit Arthur later. I'll cook dinner and you go and have a sleep. The boys will wake you when it's ready." Her mum smiled gratefully and whispered tiredly, "Thanks, Sirius."
Her mum walked upstairs and Lupin entered through the flames. He greeted everyone, glanced at Harry and then quickly at Tonks. He gestured with his head to the left and she got up and followed him into the other room, closing the door behind them. Ron frowned, "What was that about?" Ginny shrugged, "Who knows?"
Sirius' dinner of spaghetti and mince was actually pretty decent. Ginny ate hungrily and everyone chatted about Christmas-everyone except Harry. He'd been silent ever since Lupin had walked in. Ginny asked Harry quietly(while Ron and Hermione were telling Tonks begrudgingly about the Christmas jumpers they were sure to receive that year, as well as every other year), "What's bothering you?" Harry shrugged his shoulders and murmured, "Nothing." She rolled her eyes and left him to sulk. She didn't feel like putting up with his mood swings.
When dinner was over, Ginny helped wash up and her mum asked Harry if they could do it together because she left straight for the hospital once dinner was done. The others were upstairs getting ready for bed. The dish load was quite a fair amount as there had been so many of them for dinner. They were silent as they methodically washed and cleaned and Harry suddenly asked, "How is this going to work?" Ginny frowned and asked, "I think it's working perfectly fine…" Harry shook his head, "No! I mean, us? How are we going to hide this from your entire family? It doesn't feel…right." Ginny sighed in exasperation, "So do you want to end it, Harry? I can't do this if you're unsure." He shook his head fervently and replied, "No…not it's just that I hate hiding this from your mum, and Ron! Of all people, they deserve to know. Also…what if Voldemort gets into my mind and then uses you against me again? I couldn't Ginny…I couldn't risk that!" He looked at her with sheer despair written across his face and he looked more frightened than Ginny had ever seen him.
She put down the dishes she had been washing, took his hand in hers and pulled him to sit down next to her. Ginny sighed and whispered, "I know. I've had that fear too, Harry. I've had that fear ever since the chamber. That's why I was so distant to you afterwards. I had to overcome it and force myself to be your friend. I knew I wanted to; I just had to get passed it. I will help you get passed it too." Harry sighed, "How?" She shrugged her shoulders and whispered, "Riddle wants that fear to get to you. You can't let him win. Letting it get to you is letting him win."
Harry smiled and Ginny leaned closer to him, hoping he would understand what she was implying. He did and he leant in and kissed her lips again, this time a little more forcefully than before. She inhaled sharply as she wrapped her hands around his waist and Harry responded by pulling her closer. She could feel that he needed that comfort, even if he didn't know it. This was how she could help him overcome this fear, by giving him confidence and love. Above all she could give him love.
When they broke apart they were both breathing heavily and this made Ginny laugh. Harry laughed and asked, "What?" She shook her head and whispered, "You can do this, Harry. You can overcome your fear and I'll help you to." He nodded and whispered, "Thank you Gin, for always being there for me." She smiled and nodded, "I believe in you Harry. We better get back to the dishes though." He chuckled and together they worked methodically until they were all clean.
Author's note: Another chapter done! Yay. I probably won't put another one up tomorrow because it's a long day for me. Tuesday I will have another one up hopefully Guys, I know that Harry and Ginny don't get together so soon in the books but this is one of my twists! I'm glad that most of you seem to agree that Ginny isn't in the books enough! This is why I'm writing her story and how I think it should have been. Thank you to all the amazing reviewers again and to everyone reading this story! I hope you had a good weekend.