18

HARRY POTTER SPEAKS OUT by Rita Skeeter.

Harry James Potter, Order of Merlin, First Class, appeared at my doorstep last night, a broad smile upon his face and the presence of a young lady at his side. He told I, Rita Skeeter that he had decided, upon reasoning by an unknown source that he wished to be given an interview about anything and everything from the night of the Dark Lord's defeat and beyond. So I did not hesitate, nor ask him how he knew where I lived, but instead stepped back to allow him in.

Potter and I go way back, since we met at the Tri-Wizard Tournament, I remember a young and charming boy who seemed up for an adventure. He and this young lady, whom he introduced as the daughter of Arthur Weasley (Head of Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects) Jenny her name was, enthusiastically took their seats as I offered them a slice of pound cake and Potter was ready to answer any question.

I asked him immediately, the question everyone wanted to know the answer too. How did Harry Potter, defeat the Dark Lord?

He had simply answered, 'He defeated himself.'

Upon asking him to elaborate, he told me, 'there will be no need for me to do that, my word is that Lord Voldemort is dead and that should be enough.'

I know it is not a complete answer, but despite how much I tried to twist Potter's tongue after this it did not budge, and I was forced to move on and question him about his moves after defeating the Dark Lord.

'...well I went to Lupin Lodge of course,' says Potter, 'Remus was brilliant, fixed me up, sewed me back together- and cared for me.'

So Remus John Lupin, known werewolf, willingly helps Potter to health, despite the fact that he was covered in blood and still bleeding – are we to believe, that a werewolf was able to diminish the scent of human flesh and blood without attack?

I asked him this question, and his immediate response was negative.

'Of course he didn't attack,' says Potter, Order of Merlin, First Class, possible werewolf, 'Remus is harmless, untransformed, but this isn't about him- he helped me come to health, but everything that happened after that was my issue.'

He seemed rather definite about this so I did not push the matter. Instead I moved on, asked why he chose to hide away from the world, from his friends and from the Ministry.

'I was uncertain,' he said flatly, 'I did my job, I killed Voldemort and I managed to survive. I did not, however, know why coming back to the world seemed so hard, I thought perhaps I did not want to be the hero, that I did not want to continue as the centre of attention.'

I urged him to continue and he did.

'So I guess, I stayed secluded because I wanted space,' Potter said, 'I very desperately wanted my friends to know – yet I could not seem to go to them, and they were kept in the dark, also, such like the rest of the world.'

Upon asking why he was not able to go to his friends, he replied strongly, 'I don't know! OK?'

This very clearly shows us some of Potter's anger, in which he was known for quite a lot during the Tri-Wizard Tournament at Hogwarts in his fourth year. It was rumoured that his scar was forcing him to dispense this anger, or rather a connection to the Dark Lord – now we can safely assume, with the Dark Lord dead, that it is simply his own personality. I took this as a sign to change the subject.

'Yes,' was Potter's answer to the question of if he stayed at Lupin Lodge whilst in hiding, 'Remus swore not to tell any of my friends, he kept his word and I was able to live there while attempting to set my arrangements in order.'

I then asked him, completely off topic, if it was still the place in which he took refuge or if he had moved on from there. 'No comment,' was what I received.

Then I asked him, as calmly as I could without spoiling the anticipation, of what had happened to his unknown seclusion and why now, he was suddenly coming out of hiding with this interview. And for the first time, I was intrigued to notice that he hesitated here – Potter seem to stiffen and looked to be finding an answer; I thought he wasn't going to before he did.

'I was discovered,' Potter said simply, 'by someone who will remain nameless, and there are only a certain group of people who will ever know the truth – and there will be no naming of names.'

In the light of Potter's anger boiling, I once again found myself refraining from asking a question I so desperately wanted to ask. So therefore, I asked if there was anything he needed to add before I turned to the companion in which he had brought with him.

'An apology,' was what he said before I could more on.

I almost dropped my quill at what he said; it was known, widely, that Potter was not one for giving necessary apologies – all the times in which he had turned a blind eye to the Ministry and not apologised is heavily outlined on his record. I allowed, however, the chance for him to continue as it was what he did.

'Not to the Ministry and not to the world,' he said, 'if anything, it is them who owe me. My apology goes to my friends, those of which have yet to see an apology from me, who have yet to change their mind about me and have yet to celebrate with me upon the arrival of peace, from which now the fall of Lord Voldemort has left us in.'

There it is the apology. If it is genuine or not I cannot say for sure, as I simply wrote it down and nodded. Once satisfied that Potter seemed, as reluctant as I am to say it, truthful about what had happened; I turned to his female companion and asked why she had accompanied him.

'I am making sure,' Jenny Weasley said, very forcefully, 'that you don't say one wrong thing about Harry, that what he has done is completely a mistake and that anyone out there who hates him, who doesn't trust him and who can't find it in their heart to forgive him after his apology – are complete nutters.'

And with a final, 'that will do,' from Potter, I succumb to the payment in which I had agreed to confront for the interview, and watched them leave hand-in-hand, each bearing a fresh slice of my world-renown pound cake and leaving me the responsibility – in which I hope I have managed to transcript – that Harry Potter's mistake, was no more.

Rita Skeeter.

See page 16, ARE POTTER AND WEASLEY A COUPLE?!

'Well,' Ginny said with a shrug, as she folded it up and threw it aimlessly over her right shoulder, 'it might not be perfect, but at least you've got the truth out – and that you've apologised.'

'You're right, Jenny,' Harry said mockingly with a grin, 'but don't you want to read that exclusive scoop about Potter and Weasley?'

Ginny stuck her tongue out at him but did not retaliate.

'So now we hope the others come to their senses,' Ginny said, looking out the kitchen window, 'how long do you think..?'

'Let's not wait on it,' Harry told her, looking out also.

'But we could go to the Burrow,' Ginny suggested, 'they might come around, and mum's always liked you, she's bound to – you're just like Percy to her.'

Harry, who had chosen that moment to take a calm and easy sip of Madam Rosmerta's oak-matured mead, gagged on it in surprise.

'I would hope I'm nothing like Percy!' Harry stammered, mead was down his front. 'I mean, Percy was good to come back and all – but he wasn't thought dead, or gone – just a stubborn git-'

'Well that's what you were in the end, really,' Ginny pointed out, smiling sweetly, 'and well Percy was thought that way often, mostly by dad and Fred and George- they deemed him to be dead when Aunt Muriel came over once; George told our Cousin Mark that he didn't have, nor ever had, nor ever even heard of anyone called Percy, and promptly asked Mark why any one in their right mind would want a son named Percy.'

Harry laughed.

'Sorry.' He said quickly, catching Ginny's eye. 'But-'

'It's alright,' she said, passing him a napkin. 'So anyway, are you sure you don't want to go and try?'

Harry pondered this for a moment; his eyes did not leave Ginny's.

'No.' Harry said firmly.

For a minute there was silence. Harry fiddled with the lose handle on his mug as Ginny sat quite still, glaring over him, taking him in. After a minute or so, though, it was Harry who broke the absolute silence.

'If that's not what you were hoping to hear,' Harry started, looking at Ginny, 'I'm sorry. I realise- you would want to spend Christmas with them, I- I thought you might want to stay here or something but-'

'Harry, why wouldn't I?' Ginny asked.

He looked up hopefully. 'So then...' he grinned, 'unless there is any news from your parents, or from Ron and Hermione... will you stay here with me?'

Ginny's puzzled look turned slowly into a smile.

'Of course.'

-

An owl did not come at all that day, not that they would have noticed, Harry and Ginny were having way too much fun together to care. They were decorating the large Christmas tree they had managed to squeeze into Remus' study, hanging all sorts of assortments as well as brightly coloured lights (which Harry produced from his wand) and they each ran around it with a string of tinsel, catching each other for a kiss as they moved around the tree. They also shared a laugh at what Remus might think, if he came home to see an overly decorated Christmas tree in his study that seemed to be shedding bits of tinsel all over his precious books already.

The rest of the day passed rather too quickly in absolute enjoyment, Harry felt the happiest he had been for years and could only react to the flowery scent that followed his nostrils by inhaling it immensely while he kissed her. The scent, of course, reminded him heavily of the Burrow and it was a welcoming scent to smell and taste her with a kiss: she of course did not protest.

They made a rather enjoyable meal together, rump steak with potatoes, peas and mixed vegetables. They talked about the events that had happened during the seven months of being separated while eating. Harry was actually relieved that Ginny laughed out loud at the things that he had done in order to keep his existence to her, a mystery. Such as how he'd skip from the room when he heard her coming, or lock himself up in his room when he knew she was to visit and how he had watched her from afar, sometimes being within meters of the Burrow. He did, however, forget to mention purposely that he had found her alone in Remus' study several times without her knowledge, and had perved on her.

Though that thought was pushed to the back of his mind. He instead became ecstatic when he was able to go up to the Guest room accompanied by another, when he had been alone in it for so long. She actually led him up there, holding his hand in hers and smiling the entire way up until over the threshold. I would, normally, tell in absolute detail the events that took place after the door shut upon the two of them. But quite simply, for the days to come, there were more important matters to attend too.

And I'll just let your own mind imagine what might have happened...

-

Harry and Ginny were surprised Christmas morning, after waking pleasantly from the morning sunlight, to find their stockings were rather more bulky than they should have thought. Certainly, the interview Harry had given seem to help portion this, many people had written in, whether they believed him or not or cared that he didn't explain what really had happened to Lord Voldemort. Most fabulous of all, Harry found a present – sitting rather distinctively towards the top – addressed to him from Molly Weasley. It seemed, as he pulled out a quickly yet well knitted jumper with an emerald green "H" against a blue background, that it was her way of saying she forgave him.

Molly had also put some mince pies and Bertie Botts beans in, Fred and George had sent him the latest Weasleys' Wizard Wheeze assortments, Bill and Fleur got him some rather heavily portioned Oak-Mead and Remus and Tonks together got him a knife that made Sirius' look like a normal butter knife. Disappointedly, though, there was no such luck with finding presents from either Ron or Hermione; Ginny was looking at him when he looked sideways.

'You noticed too, huh?' she said with a smile, shrugging. 'Oh well... can't say I'm not surprised. I'm sure they'll come around- what's that?'

She was pointing at the knife Harry was now holding.

'From Remus and Tonks,' he said, examining it carefully.

'Isn't that the one that melted?' she asked him, 'Sirius'-?'

'No.' Harry shook his head. 'This one seems... better.'

Ginny looked passed the knife and into Harry's now empty sack with a frown.

'I figure you'll notice there's nothing from me in there, either,' she said sadly, 'I didn't know what to get you-'

'-its fine.' Harry said.

'I didn't have any time, really,' she went on, ignoring his words, 'and obviously I knew there would be nothing from you in here, either, so I kind of-'

'-Ginny,' Harry said firmly, turning to her with a grin, 'it's OK.'

He leant in to kiss her as passionately as he dared, without it turning into something more than that.

'Consider me as your present, as I consider you as mine,' he smiled, 'Merry Christmas, Gin.'

She smiled in return.

'Merry Christmas, Harry.'

-

They were joined, rather at short notice, by Remus and Tonks around lunch time, bearing grins and walking over the threshold hand-in-hand. They explained that their belated appearance was because they wanted to give the two of them time, and that they were rather pleased that they had strung back together. Tonks in particularly more so, immediately bound upon Harry and ruffled his hair, calling him a "secluded git" and reminding him how lucky he was – but in the end, Harry knew what she meant and was thankful.

Remus, as they had expected, almost pulled out what grey hair he had left when he discovered his beloved study and rather old book collection had been showered with tinsel from the decorated Christmas tree. Tonks joined in on the laughter with Harry and Ginny, and then went over to remind Remus that there was a simple spell that could clean the mess in an instant. Remus joined in on the laughter after this.

They had Christmas lunch in good spirits, Remus told them he was more than OK to continue staying at Tonks' until Harry had gotten completely in the clear with everyone back at the Burrow. So after they had a bit of Tonks' pudding for dessert, she and Remus left to go have dinner at Tonks' parents – Harry and Ginny took refuge to the sitting room and sat on the warm couch in front of the fire, talking well into the night about... a very happy Christmas.

-

New Years came and went quite rapidly, Harry and Ginny spent it at Lupin Lodge draining Butterbeers together and kissing each other a lot. Harry enjoyed it; they weren't positively drunk, but rather they were sober enough to see through until past midnight where they kissed the heaviest. Her scent was unbelievably overpowering, especially as he could smell it all day and every day. He dreamed about her often, sometimes he would see them as fantasies or things that could not possibly happen, even though she was right there cuddled against him as they slept. He was having the time of his life with her, yet he knew, mere miles away at the Burrow, things were probably getting harder.

A week of so after New Years, when Harry could neither see and ending nor want to see one, fell into bed one night so tired, he had only just fallen asleep when an instant later he was being woken to the taste of Ginny's lips on his own. Light had barely peaked through the windows, Ginny's red hair cascaded around him like a prison cell without escape and she smiled sweetly to his awakening.

'Hi.'

If this was how he was going to wake, every day for the rest of his life, then he'd be fine without Ron and Hermione thank you very much. In fact, his enthusiasm showed as he smiled back, grabbing her waist to pull her onto him and kissed her back. Her scent was unbelievable.

'Hi.' Harry said simply in return once their kiss had ceased.

'Let's go for a walk.' Ginny suggested.

Harry stared at her.

'What time is it?'

'Oh around six,' she replied, looking at the bedside clock, 'it says five thirty there, but I think that's wrong.'

'Why so early?' Harry yawned.

'You'll see.'

Harry did not protest at all as they got dressed and left Lupin Lodge, rugged up against the cooling wind and without breakfast. She held his hand the entire way, unbeknown to him that she had a letter slipped in her hand. He became suspicious, as they made a rather familiar path; and sure enough, over a hill he spotted the Burrow looking rather like a heavily iced, rather quickly built gingerbread house. He stopped to turn and look at her, only now feeling the letter in his hand as he pulled his away from hers.

'Ginny what-' Harry began.

'Good news, Harry,' she said with a smile. 'It's over... read the note.'

Harry stared at her suspiciously, then down at the letter curiously, then back at her puzzled as he opened the letter and returned his gaze to read:

Harry

Ronald and I have come to the agreement, that the interview in which you took part in before Christmas told us enough about your struggle in the seven months of seclusion and that we took in your apology in which I daresay you were aiming at us. We admire Ginny, who you would agree, has shown her love for you is far greater than any sort of burden or hatred could overthrow. We know also, the real reason in which you felt you needed to seclude yourself, and as I'm in an engagement myself, I can understand the reasons behind which you feel.

Hence, Ronald and I have decided that, despite what you have done, your friendship is more valuable to us than spending the rest of this lifetime abroad. Ginny has forgiven you, Mr and Mrs Weasley have forgiven you, it is now time your two oldest friends forgave you also. So please, come to the Burrow so we may accept your apology in person, rather than leaving words in this letter that cannot possibly begin to describe our relief.

Love from

Ron and Hermione

xoxo

Harry beamed at Ginny, who was smiling at him the entire time he was reading. He closed the letter without a word, slipped it into his pocket, took Ginny around the shoulders and moved with her along the path towards the Burrow that was completely covered in snow. And as the sun rose into day, as friends rose back into friendships and lives were put back together, imagination can only tell how things paned out from there.

What is certain is that the Burning Phoenix will burn forever more.

-

-

Authors Note: Complete.

Well there we have it, finished – yes this is the final chapter or rather the "finite".I sincerely hope you liked it. I am thankful for all of your reviews, they helped me so much, urged me to keep writing and now made me reach that end. So I thank those who have stuck throughout the story, it is people like you in which I dedicate my time to write.

And hey, you never know – you might see me writing something again soon.

Until then, thank you!

And good night.