Author's Notes: Okay, looks like my stories going along nicely, despite some problems posed by FFN. By the way, for those who like it when Harry gets along with Ginny/Cho nicely, well, in this story things may get quite rocky. Not that they're always fighting, but I'm not establishing a mental connection for the characters to understand each other perfectly.
Note that as a male writer (we are quite rare in the world of fanfics), I may not be as inclined to make girls the wonderful people to knock sense into their guys, yet neither would I be a male chauvinist pig. This is just to tell you, since I recently read a few fanfics where it is frighteningly sexist. Oh and romance can be expected from the next chapter onwards.
Oh and it would also be helpful if someone could just tell me a bit about how summer break works in the west. Being an Asian, things work differently, so I'd need some help with that lest I mess up the dates in my story.
With all that said, please enjoy this story as my meagre gift to the world of literature, and I hope you review.
Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, own any characters unless otherwise mentioned. They belong to Mrs Rowling.
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CHAPTER FOUR: WEDDING PREPARATIONS
Harry was standing on the side of a small hill, with trees scattered around and a glistening lake at the foot of the hill. Another hill stretched up in the distance, and the valley between the two highlands was a lovely glade, with shrubs and bushes all about the lush grass.
"Harry, welcome to the Grove." Boomed a deep, resonating voice.
Spinning his head, Harry saw a man clad in crimson and gold robes, wearing a merry grin and relaxed posture. He had a large man, his light brown hair reaching his shoulders without seeming unruly. He had a faint stubble, and seemed well-muscled.
"Who am I? You should know, Harry, no one else wears these colours." The man said, pointing to his clothes.
Realisation dawned on Harry. "Gryffindor? What am I doing here in this…dreamworld?"
Gryffindor replied, "Yes, please call me Godric. You have been brought here by powers which supersede any magic you know. This is, as I have mentioned before, the Glade, a section of the Spirit Realm mostly for relaxation and contemplation."
Harry nodded his head, grateful that his House's founder was so patient in introducing this…for lack of a better word, paradise.
Godric let a small frown mar his face. "Harry, I know you don't like secrets being kept from you, but some things cannot be told. Yet this I will tell you – since you were marked by the Dark One, you have been marked by the Light. Understand that there are two conflicting forces in the universe, Good and Evil. I shan't bother to explain the concept of numerous dimensions, but will instead tell you of what is to come."
"You are a hero, Harry, and this has been apparent time and time again. You can and will do great things, like it or not, and the other Heroes and I will try or best to ensure that you come out alive and mentally sound. But know this – this war is massive, and losses have been counted on both sides. As a soldier for the Light, you will have to make sacrifices; sometimes even the ultimate sacrifice."
Harry was startled by what this man was saying. There was just too much he didn't know for him to make sense of the speech. A perplexed expression covered his face.
"Yes, I see you do not understand what this is all about, and I cannot blame you. But when the time comes, you will seek the power you need to purge the land of Darkness. You will have to suffer, and perhaps your friends will have to suffer for you, but the decision remains yours, always."
They both turned to look at the setting sun at the same time, and its comforting orange glow.
"This battle will not be easy, and I will not press onto you the fate I have chosen for myself. You have gone through much loss, yet only when the gold has been refined through hottest of flames will it come out pure. Use your sufferings to keep you one step ahead of Voldemort, do not lose yourself to him."
Harry sighed, and sat down on a nearby rock, trying to figure out what the "decision" was. What this all had to do with him. What this world was. What the other dimensions were.
"I shall leave you here to enjoy the place. When you wish for it, call on me, and you will be returned to your ward, exactly at midnight." Gryffindor said, before dissolving into the air.
Harry took a walk down the hill to the bank of the lake, enjoying the place for what it was…heaven. And to complete the picture, sounds of flutes and harps resounded from the faraway mountain, and echoed through the valley, filling the place with a sense of comfort and warmth, even as the sun made its exit from the sky.
He laid on the grass, which seemed softer than feathers. He watched the molten sky deepen into violet, before settling into a lovely indigo with bright stars sparkling all around, without smoke or clouds to mar their beauty.
The moon was shining in full glory, yet without being so bright as to dazzle the realm. After countless moments of enjoying the paradise from his natural bed, Harry got up to the water's edge, took off his clothes and took a luxurious dip into the lake, where the waters drowned his worry and apprehension, and the coldness of it only made him feel more alive.
He wanted to float around forever, to enjoy this place which was…perfect. To stay here, without a concern in the world. With no need to worry about Voldemort, Hogwarts, Dumbledore and…Ron? Hermione? Ginny? Cho?
Harry's mind perked and he swam back to shore.
"Do I really want to leave them? Never, even if it means I have to put up with Voldemort. Nothing that git could do could make me stop loving them…even if I must cast them away to protect them." He thought.
He got changed quickly, and allowed the night breeze to dry himself. Relaxing for another half an hour, he called out, "Godric?"
The man promptly returned, a small smile on his lips. "You wish to return?"
"Yes, but…will I be able to return here again?"
"Perhaps. It depends on the path you choose. I will visit you again in your dreams, but as to whether they occur here or not…well, it depends on the purpose of the meeting." His face suddenly becoming serious, he said, "I want you to follow your heart, yet think with your mind. I hope never to be in such an awful situation as you are in, but somehow, I pray that you will manage."
Godric gave Harry a weak smile before waving in farewell.
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"Harry, good to see you awake." Dumbledore greeted after Harry's eyelids batted open, adjusting to the moonlight piercing through the window.
Harry looked around and saw that no one was with the aged wizard. It was, after all, past visiting hours, but he supposed Dumbledore always had a way for getting around such things.
"Hello professor." Harry mumbled from his bed.
"I know this isn't a good time, Harry, but I thought that this would be of the utmost importance, as it is about your newfound abilities."
Harry was more than mildly interested in this. Ever since he could manage conscious thought, he had been wondering how he had managed to take down five Death Eaters and duel Bellatrix Lestrange, though he did lose the latter fight.
"But first, tell me, did you feel a sense of anger, or of protectiveness, when you went on your spell rampage?" Dumbledore quizzed.
Harry's brow furrowed for a second before he replied, "I don't know, Professor. I suppose it was more of anger because I saw Fred getting hit by the Cruciatus. Then some other part of me took over."
Dumbledore nodded gravely, and said, "Well, whatever it is, it has appeared to unleash an unnatural amount of power from you. I believe this may, in some way, relate to the Power mentioned in the Prophecy." He paused for a moment. "Believe me, Harry, I am keeping nothing from you regarding this. I am just as clueless as you about the Prophecy and what it could mean. I told you before that the power was Love, but now I doubt that. It cannot be so simple, but love will probably be one of the many things you need to unleash your true power."
"Professor, I-I-I…I'm not becoming like Voldemort, am I? Please, I mean, I tried using the Cruciatus at the Ministry, and I felt so…satisfied, when I was taking down the Death Eaters."
"No, Harry, I do not believe that you are defecting. For one, love is what triggered your outburst, and we know that love is not something that Tom Marvalo Riddle possesses. Also, your purity of heart prevented you from using a spell meant for torture. Lastly, all you did was stun Tom's servants, you neither killed nor tormented them." Dumbledore allowed a small smile to form on his face. "I think that is enough to prove that you are and always will be a soldier of the Light."
Harry was satisfied with this. His thoughts began to shift towards the dream he just had.
No need to go into it now. Didn't Gryffindor say that he will contact me again? It's no point telling Dumbledore that I have a bad dream, without understanding a bit of what it is about. No, might as well wait for him to visit me again.
"Professor, how are things at the Burrow?"
"Oh, well, actually they're still in the hospital. The Healers need to monitor them for another day, but should be fine by tomorrow morning. A nice job too, it looks like a new potion has been created to negate the effects of the Cruciatus and Strangling Curses. I don't know much about it, but patients no longer need to spend weeks recovering from such physical and mental trauma."
Cheerfulness seeped into the injured boy, who was heartened by this bit of good news.
"You did well, Harry. For an almost-sixteen year old, you did a fancy bit of spellwork there. Now, before I let you off to rest, I have a piece of advice for you. DO NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT, push your friends away. They love you very much, and I'm sure you feel the same way towards them. There may be times when you must withdraw from them, but do not distance yourself too far, and never push them off."
"Professor…is this about when…you had to fight…" Harry stuttered.
"Yes, Harry, I made the mistake many years ago, and lost a part of my heart. As you can see, I came out alive, but I do not want you to have to put up with such misery." Dumbledore gave a warm smile. "But do not let it trouble you. I expect the rest of the year to be very interesting for you. For now, sleep well."
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The following days were kind to the Weasleys. Bill and Charlie recovered speedily and were discharged a few days after Harry, looking as before apart for a few scars. In less than a week's time, the entire household was preparing for the wedding, and even Dobby and Winky came from Hogwarts to help out. Occasionally, friends from the Order would visit for a chat, such as Lupin, Tonks, Shacklebolt and McGonagall.
All the same, life went on. A week and a half before the wedding, the family, apart from Bill, who already had his wedding suit, went to get their dress robes for the occasion. He got a marvellous black one with red trimmings. After getting all the robes, however, he insisted upon getting Ron and Ginny a new set of robes, against Mrs Weasley's wishes.
"Harry, dear, we're really grateful for your generosity, but we really don't need it." Mrs Weasley said.
Ron added on, "Yeah, don't worry Harry, we've been fine so far."
"But that's exactly why I must get your new robes. Your have given me more than I can ask, and have shown me love I never knew existed until I was eleven. Please, I virtually consider you're my family, and the least I could do is give your gifts." He pleaded. "Besides, my parents and Sirius have left me with so much gold…I don't think I could ever use it, and I think they would like nothing better than for it to be used on the people who have cared for me."
By the time he finished what he was saying, Molly Weasley had tears on her face and her family too had wet eyes, except for the twins who had a solemn smile.
Without saying a word to his new-found family, he purchased a few dress robes and which they had been eyeing, and asked the shop assistant to help find the other Weasleys some for themselves.
Thus it was later than expected when they got back to the Burrow. Harry was pleased that the Weasleys let him buy them stuff, and he also spent some time casually looking around for a present for Ginny. Her birthday was not that far away.
Before his thoughts could centre around the red-haired girl whom he was beginning to like in a very weird way, Harry thought about Sirius in a purposeful, non-nostalgic way, such as what would become of Number 12 Grimmauld Place, his money, and whatever other assets he had. Also, Harry wondered why Dumbledore had let him out of Privet Drive when he was supposed to stay there until his birthday. Deciding to ask Dumbledore about it the next time the two met, Harry went back to his chores.
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It was only the next day, during lunch, when Dumbledore visited the Burrow. Harry was spared the trouble of asking Dumbledore to have a chat with him in private when Dumbledore objectively looked at Harry and brought him to the parlour, where the experienced wizard cast various privacy charms on the room.
"So, Harry, I expect you have many questions for me, and since you were just recovering in St Mungo's the last time I saw you, I think now is a more appropriate time for such a discussion." Dumbledore said merrily. "So, shoot."
Harry only hesitated a moment before he asked the question which was at the forefront of his thoughts.
"Why was I allowed to leave the Dursleys, Professor? I thought I was supposed to stay with them till my birthday to fulfil my part of some magical contract or other." Harry inquired.
"Yes, well Harry, you must understand that it was a difficult decision for me. With such thick magical defences around your uncle and aunt's house, it would have been the logical decision for me to put you there, as I have done in the past." The Hogwarts Headmaster explained matter-of-factly. "But since Voldemort used your blood for his reincarnation, I think the wards have been weakened. Also, Harry, I am very concerned with you psychological well-being. I think you would have shattered after Sirius' passing, being left alone with no one to sympathise or empathise with. So I just beefed up the protection around the Burrow, hoping that you would not lose heart if your friends were with you."
Harry gave a weak smile, before asking, "But Professor, aren't I endangering the Weasleys with my presence? Also, isn't the Burrow rather easy to locate?"
"I have asked Arthur and Molly before bringing you here, informing them of the risks. But they love you like a son, Harry, and are willing to accept the consequences of your stay. Furthermore I trust you do not betray their love by insisting on protecting them, for that will not be beneficial for all parties involved. And yes, the Burrow has been easy to locate for obvious reasons, but since this summer, all Order members have increased security around their homes. Though perhaps not as safe as Number Four Privet Drive, this place is safe enough for my standards."
This bit of knowledge satisfied Harry's fear, and he changed the topic to Sirius.
"Professor, I heard from Mr and Mrs Weasley that Sirius left a good deal of gold with them, but that means that he's left me even more, doesn't it? Also, who owns Grimmauld Place now?"
Dumbledore held up a hand to stop the barrage of questions.
"Yes, Harry, he left you with the whole Black fortune, which is somewhere in the figure of a million, so you are, effectively, one of the richest wizards in England." Dumbledore added with a smirk. "I think he entrusted you to use that money wisely, and I too have faith that you will. As for the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black…Sirius included it in his will that none of his relatives inherit anything which belonged to him, so that problem is settled. He dictated that Number Twelve go to me, for Order use, to which I gladly obliged."
"Err…Professor, I'd like to take a trip to Gringotts soon, preferably with Lupin or Bill. I want to transfer some money to some people and check out the Black family vault." Harry told the Headmaster quietly.
"Of course that can be arranged, Harry. I will get it done as soon as possible, probably tomorrow or the day after. Any other burning questions?"
"Yes. Have you found someone to teach me Occlumency, Professor? Also, will I be doing more extensive learning now that Voldemort has made it explicitly clear that he's after me?"
Dumbledore paused for a moment. "Yes, Harry, I have managed to arrange for someone to teach you Occlumency. In fact, I expect lessons to begin after the wedding; he's a bit too busy until then. Regarding Tom…yes, it would be good if you practiced duelling and spellwork. How about this: everyday, from lunch to dinner, you'll be taught out-of-curriculum stuff, for Transfiguration, Charms, Potions and Defence. If you want, I can get your friends to join you."
"Yes, Professor, that would be nice, since they too need to defend themselves when the time comes."
Dumbledore let out a pleased chuckle before removing the privacy charms.
"If that is all, Harry, I believe my visit is over, though Molly will undoubtedly try to persuade me to stay for a while more. Till next time, Harry." The white-haired wizard said before proceeding out of the door, heading to the kitchen while Harry went to the room he shared with Ron.
He opened the door to find his two best friends looking at each other seriously, sitting rather close on Ron's bed. Upon seeing Harry, the two looked up at him and gave a small smile, a tinge of pink rising in their cheeks.
Harry was puzzled as to what caused their blushing, but he soon got bombarded with questions as his two friends rose from their places and began interrogating him.
"Harry, why did Dumbledore come? Is it something important? Is someone in danger? Who's the Defence teacher next year? What did-" Hermione was shooting out before Ron placed a cupped hand gently but firmly over the brown-haired girl's mouth.
"Relax, Hermione, and let the man speak." Ron said, amusedly drawing a dash of red on the cheek of the girl.
By now, Harry had a faint suspicion about what was going on, and decided to think about it later, possibly discussing it with Ginny who would also be immediately affected by their friends' change in relationship.
Looking at them squarely in the face, he took a relaxed expression before telling them about his discussion with Dumbledore, missing out the part regarding his trip to Gringotts.
They soon broke out into a discussion about the training and Occlumency, which somehow digressed into their respective summer breaks.
After Hermione had recounted her boring week at home with her parents overly busy with work, Harry told the other two about his stay at Number Four Privet Drive. He chose to omit his letters to and from Ginny and Cho, let alone his feelings for them, for obvious reasons. He painted his one week at the Dursleys to be pleasant and quiet, but from the look that Hermione gave him, she saw through it all and knew that he was practically ignored. Harry inwardly sighed and steered the discussion to the new year at Hogwarts.
An hour later, Ginny joined them, having finished with the details of her dress.
Placing a silencing charm on the room, she moaned, "Oh, that Phlegm, she's so…ARGH! I wish Bill the best of luck, putting up with that effing, pompous git for the rest of his miserable life!"
Hermione smirked in amusement at the younger girl's exclamation, while Ron was staring blankly, something often did whenever the French girl was mentioned. Harry was inwardly amused but didn't show it as he patted his bed, prompting Ginny to sit next to him. It was a well-known fact that Fleur Delacour was the plague to Mrs Weasley and Ginny, with her proud, girly attitude. Harry let a small smile slip as he pondered how family reunions would be like once Bill and her were married.
Ginny, however, misinterpreted his reaction.
"Oh, don't tell me you're going to fawn over her like my idiot brother." She shrilled, before storming out of the room before Harry could explain himself.
Hermione, at least, offered him a sympathetic expression.
"Don't worry. She's just frustrated and wants to exert her anger on someone." She tilted her head to look at him with squinted eyes. "You aren't fawning over her, are you?"
"Good Merlin of course not Hermione! I'm not that shallow! I was just thinking about what Ginny would do now that her and Phle— I mean, Fleur, are effectively related. Besides, isn't Bill her favourite brother? I hope she well…adapts to it."
"Don't worry about that, Harry. I'm sure she'll find someone whom she's comfortable with and can talk to."
Hermione gave him one of the looks that only females could understand, which puzzled Harry to no end. It certainly wasn't regarding what he said about Fleur; Hermione made it very clear about what she thought about the part-Veela. There was something else involved…
With a sigh, Hermione got up and told the two boys, "Well, looks like I'll leave you two here and check the preparations. No matter who's the bride, I hope it's nice." She looked back at Harry and Ron as she stood at the doorway. "By the way, if I remember correctly, we need to bring dates." With that she went out with an unreadable expression.
The two boys in the room shared a glance and muttered, "Girls…" at the same time. Grinning, Ron asked Harry, "How you fancy another game of chess?"
This earned a shrug from the green-eyed boy who, in truth, didn't quite fancy a game of chess. There was, however, nothing better to do in their spare time, and he wanted to take his mind off the wedding, especially what Hermione had said about bringing a date.
They played three games, all of which Harry lost, before the twins came in inviting them to a game of Quidditch.
"Hey Harry, Ronniekins," Fred said, ignoring Ron's furious glare at their use of his childhood name.
"Bill and Charlie are over,"
"For some wedding thing,"
"But, you know, the girls don't trust the men,"
"to plan something as girly as a wedding,"
"so how about a game of Quidditch?"
Quickly grabbing their brooms, they got Ginny to come along. Harry noted with suspicion that Hermione was deep in conversation with Ginny, and that a silencing charm was used on the room, but decided to think nothing of it.
They played four-on-four, practically dragging Hermione onto the broom against her animated refusal to play. They argued that they had unequal number of players, and that Harry had never played anything besides Seeker before, so it was still fair.
"Okay, fine, but your owe me big." She muttered, unsteadily getting on the broom.
After going on a fifteen minute crash course (pun not intended) with Ginny, Hermione mustered the confidence to play the game, and even seemed to enjoy herself in the air a bit. Only a bit.
They then sorted into teams. They wanted a keeper, two chasers and one beater per side. It was agreed that Harry and Hermione, being inexperienced in all three positions, were to be in separate sides. The twins went through the same procedure, as they were both natural beaters. That left Ron, Ginny, Bill and Charlie. After drawing straws, it was decided that Ron and Charlie would be in the same team as Harry and George, while Fred, Bill and Ginny would join Hermione.
Harry enjoyed being a chaser, though he admitted that he wasn't very good at it. The Weasleys used a makeshift quaffle and bludger, but they were effective bundles of enchanted recycled materials nonetheless.
By the time they stopped, it was an hour to dinner, and the scores were level at nine goals per side. All of them, even Hermione, had an enjoyable time, judging by the cheerful smiles on their faces. What was most amazing to Harry was that, at that moment, he realised that in the midst of all the turmoil that Voldemort's return caused, day-to-day activities such as weddings and Quidditch still went on, and people had fun and merriment. Something in that gave Harry an unrecognisable fuzzy feeling even as he returned to the Burrow with the noisy group of chatty friends.
His family.
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Author's Notes: Well guys, how did your like that? Rather fluffy, I admit, but I needed a transition scene.
Once again, please review. Everyone comment, whether positive or otherwise, is appreciated.