Chapter 6
Harry's despondent feeling disappeared the moment they arrived at the Burrow. Although he was not allowed to venture beyond the boundaries of the Weasleys' property, Harry had no reason to seek to do so. This was home, next to Hogwarts of course. He felt like he belonged here.
"Well, Harry, you'll be staying in Ron's room as usual," said Mrs. Weasley as they entered the house. "But don't unpack too much, as we'll be staying at Leah's tomorrow night. Hermione, Ginny is-"
"Oh, thank goodness you're here!"
A girl with long bright red hair ran from the staircase- Ginny. She seized Hermione's hand and pulled her up the stairs with her, trunk and Crookshanks dragging behind them.
Ron stared after his sister. "I don't know what's gotten into her lately, but she's not normal Ginny," said Ron. "She's been moping around since we got home and then whenever anybody asks her what's wrong, she puts on this horrible act like everything's fine." He shrugged. "I don't know, mate. I guess Dumbledore's death hit her pretty hard."
Harry shrugged too, pretending he didn't know what was up. Harry had yet to tell Ron that he had broken it off with Ginny, and it appeared that Ginny had not said a word either. Harry wasn't sure if Ron would cheer or break his neck for ending it with Ginny. A short while ago Harry would have gone with the former, seeing the way Ron had reacted when he heard Ginny was dating Michael Corner two years ago, and then when he had seen her kissing Dean Thomas just last year. Now Harry knew Ron didn't mind him dating his sister, but Harry and Ginny weren't together anymore.
Ron picked up one end of Harry's trunk and motioned for Harry to take the other end so that they could carry it upstairs.
"Couldn't you just levitate it?" asked Harry, raising his eyebrows.
Ron's eyes widened. "You know, I don't know why I didn't think of that," he laughed. "Locomotor trunk! I guess I'm still getting the hang of being able to do magic outside of Hogwarts."
Harry laughed too. He walked behind Ron all the way up the many flights of stairs that led to Ron's attic bedroom. The familiar room was dedicated to orange at first glance. Actually it was simply covered from floor to ceiling in Chudley Cannons paraphernalia. The same frog that had sat in the tank under the window was still there, and cards from chocolate frog boxes were scattered across the desk.
"Want to play some Exploding Snap?" asked Ron, holding up a pack of cards.
---
"So, Harry's broken up with you?" asked Hermione worriedly. She was sitting on the extra roll away bed as charmed knitting needles worked the yarn in front of her into a hat. "When did this happen? And did he say why?"
"Right after Dumbledore's funeral," said Ginny quietly. "He said it wouldn't be safe for me to be around him. I think it is pure nonsense. I've been around him for six years now! I'm a Weasley, a blood traitor! Voldemort would come after me anyway!"
Hermione gazed in awe at Ginny. "You said his name! I've been trying to convince for the last three years and you've finally done it!"
"Yes, well, I have been working on it since I got home," said Ginny impatiently, brushing a strand of her auburn hair out of her eyes. "Can we focus on the issue at hand?"
"Oh, sorry," said Hermione. "Well, I agree with you." Ginny smiled triumphantly. "But I also agree with Harry."
Ginny's face fell. "How can you? You don't really think I need protection, do you? I have proven that-"
"Ginny, I don't doubt that you are indeed a very powerful witch," said Hermione, "but I believe Harry has his reasons. He doesn't want to lose you, so he's trying to protect you. But I think the problem is he's so blinded by the thought of protecting you that he's forgotten how much you can protect yourself."
There was a silence after Hermione finished her statement. The only sounds were the clicking of Hermione's needles and the hum of Crookshanks purring as Ginny scratched the bushy cat behind the ears.
"You really think that's what's going through his mind?" asked Ginny.
"Well, I don't know for sure, but I think that's the general idea," said Hermione. "He really loves you, Ginny. I can tell." She smiled at the younger girl.
"I know he does," said Ginny solemnly, "but it's hard to tell when somebody breaks up with you." She shrugged. "I suppose I'll have to live without him then?"
"I don't know," said Hermione. "You'll find out won't you?" she asked with a wide grin.