After Harry had endured a complete hour of being smothered with kisses by Mrs. Weasley and Fleur, he had finally been allowed to go take a shower. Hermione had gone to his house and gotten clean clothes for him to wear, along with a long black cloak.
After he gotten out of the shower and dressed, Harry went down the stairs of the Burrow to find all the Weasleys - along with Hermione, Tonks and Lupin - waiting for him.
Ginny stared at Harry's dripping wet hair hanging limply over his eyes. She still couldn't believe that this boy - who she had been infatuated with for her entire life – was her boyfriend again.
Mrs. Weasley immediately sat Harry down at the table and Fleur plopped a plate filed to the brim with eggs and sausages in from of his face.
"Eat," Mrs. Weasley said. "Look how thin you've gotten, Harry…"
Fred and George rolled their eyes. "Mum, " Fred started, "you've been feeding Harry the last few weeks – "
"- How can you still think that he hasn't been getting enough to eat?" George finished.
"Yeah, it's not like he's living with those bloody aunt and uncle of his," Ginny said.
"Don't curse, Ginny," Mrs. Weasley scolded.
Harry looked at Charlie. "Aren't you supposed to be in Romania?" he asked, eating his eggs.
"Don't talk with your mouth full, Harry," Hermione said.
Charlie laughed.
"What?" Hermione asked defensively.
"You're just like Mum, Hermione," Charlie laughed again. Hermione ignored him.
Mr. Weasley was looking at Harry happily. "So you remember everything, Harry? Good, Good. I was getting a little worried there."
Harry smiled at Mr. Weasley and at Lupin, who flashed him a big smile and said, "Welcome back, Harry. Your father would have been proud of you… everything that has happened in the last couple of days…"
Harry's cheeks reddened. To make matters worse, everyone was staring at him in awe, as if they just then remembered how he had taken seven killing curses to the chest. Tonks noticed that Harry was becoming uncomfortable, and so she morphed her nose into a pig snout to get everyone laughing. Harry flashed her a thankful smile.
Just then, Dumbledore walked into the kitchen, followed closely by Snape.
Harry lifted his eyes off of his plate, and when he saw who was at the door, he stood immediately.
"Dumbledore!" Although Harry had been informed than Dumbledore was indeed still alive, he still hadn't talked with him personally.
Snape shot Harry a dark look, one that Harry returned with equal passion. Everyone could sense the tension in the room.
Dumbledore, noticing this, said, "It is time we all put our differences aside. I must ask that you two shake hands." Dumbledore looked at both Snape and Harry, waiting.
"Headmaster – " Dumbledore shot Snape other look.
Snape grudgingly stuck out a hand. Harry took it and let go of it immediately.
Satisfied, Dumbledore said, "Harry, I must insist I have a quick talk with you."
Harry nodded and followed Dumbledore out to the garden, not failing to notice all the pairs of eyes following his back.
"Harry," Dumbledore said, once they were out of earshot of everyone, "first of all, I'd like to tell you how deeply sorry I am to not have told you I was alive before this. But you must understand, I had my reasons. Now, let's get straight to the point: I am quite interested in where it was you disappeared to this past year."
"France," Harry said, still quite unable to believe that Dumbledore was standing right next to him.
"Yes, I was aware of that," Dumbledore said. "No, what I wanted to know was who it was you disappeared to."
Harry look startled. It seemed like Dumbledore already knew where he had been.
"Er…" Harry said.
"May I assume," Dumbledore said calmly, "That you were with a certain old man named Audric du Roche?"
Harry looked confused. "Um… who?"
Dumbledore smiled in realization. "Ahh, yes. It slipped my mind. I think you know him better as Monsieur."
"Professor!" Harry exclaimed. "How did you know?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "You see, Harry, Audric du Roche isn't always right. When he told you I was dead… well, you know I'm quite alive and well."
"Er… Monsieur never told me you were dead, Professor."
"Are you quite sure of that Harry?"
Harry thought it over. Monsieur had never mentioned Dumbledore, as far as he was concerned… suddenly it dawned on him.
"Dumbledore!" Harry cried. "You! You were… you were one of Monsieur's students!"
Dumbledore smiled. "Yes, I'm afraid I was. I don't think he ever liked me very much, Harry. I always disagreed with him on certain topics. That's why I never finished my training with him, Harry. Although, even if I had, I'm not sure I'd be as powerful as you, of course."
Harry's cheeks reddened. "Complete rubbish," he muttered under his breath.
"Now, Harry," Dumbledore said, "I take it I can assume that you lost your memories during your training?"
"Yes, Professor. Apparently it was something about weaknesses."
"And I assume Audric told you your weakness was your love for others, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"So you've noticed it, too!" Harry cried.
"Ahh, Harry," Dumbledore said. "I think you've misunderstood me. As I told you before, I've always disagreed on certain topics with Audric. Harry, I know that your love for others is not a weakness. It is a strength, in fact."
Harry looked at Dumbledore skeptically.
"You took seven killing curses to the chest, Harry," Dumbledore explained excitedly. "Would anyone else have been able to do that? No! No one would! Because you are pure of heart, Harry! You would have done anything to save Ms. Weasley. That is what saved you, Harry. Your love…"
Harry stared at Dumbledore.
"And to prove the power of love in you, Harry," Dumbledore continued, "Lets go back to when you were unconscious. Has anyone mentioned to you that Ms. Weasley was the only one who was able to actually talk to you? Well, you must know, I mean, you were attacking everyone that tried to bring you back to us. But how was it that Ms. Weasley was able to speak to you? Well, I believe the only answer is that because of your love for her, you were able to realize it was she before you caused too much damage. I was quite sure not even your best friend, Mr. Weasley, would have been able to do what Ms. Weasley did."
Harry was blushing deeply; Dumbledore seemed to know just how much he cared for Ginny.
"And," Dumbledore said, "Ms. Weasley told me what happened between you two in that room. Why do you think nobody but her - not even you - could open that door? The only explanation is love, Harry. Love."
Harry was staring awkwardly into space, trying not to meet Dumbledore's eyes. Nevertheless, his red cheeks could be seen from a mile away.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and said, "Well, I suppose we better go back in. I think Molly was quite intent at getting you to eat those last dozen sausages. "
Harry quietly followed Dumbledore back to the kitchen. Only Mrs. Weasley, Fleur, Bill, and Snape were still there.
"Harry dear," Mrs. Weasley said as soon as she saw Harry. "I saved these last sausages and eggs for you. Go on, dear. I've saved you some too, Albus."
Dumbledore smiled knowingly at Harry and settled himself down to eat.
Harry said, "I'm quite full Mrs. Weasley. I think I'll go find Gi – Ron and the others."
Mrs. Weasley smiled. "Alright, then, dear. Charlie, Lupin and Tonks have left for Order business, but the others are all upstairs in the twins' room. God knows what they are doing there…"
Harry walked to the stairs, not failing to throw Snape a filthy look on the way. He climbed the stairs to Fred and George's room.
As soon as Ginny saw him, she flew at him and gave him a big hug. "I just can't believe you're back, Harry!"
Harry smiled and reached down to kiss Ginny. As soon as their lips toughed, Harry heard some shouts.
"Oi! That's my little sister! Do you think you still have the right to snog her without my permission – ow! Hermione, that hurt!"
"Get a room – "
" – Potter!"
"You deserved it, Ronald!"
Harry felt several pillows hit him, put he didn't care. He finally had Ginny back, and he was never letting her go again.
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THE END
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AN
So, how did you people like this chapter? I know it's been so long since I last updated this story, but I was working on BF, and I didn't get a chance to write this last chapter. But it's done, finally!!! So all of you tell me if you liked it or not. And if you have some unanswered questions, tell me so I can fix this story up (Thanks, JimmyJ). But I like the ending to this chapter, so I don't think I'll change that. So make sure you review, and make sure you also read my new Harry/Ginny fic called Bloodsucking Fiends.
Faye