Disclaimer: All rights and characters belong to Queen Rowling
"Gabrielle, what on earth are you wearing?"
The girl in question turned, her perfect blonde hair swishing as she did so. "What? My uniform isn't appropriate?"
"It's just a little strange, that's all," Ginny smiled affectionately. "You don't wear it on breaks, do you?"
"Well, no." The French girl frowned. "What am I supposed to wear then? Isn't this a formal occasion? A birthday party for the Chosen One?"
"Oh dear," Ginny laughed. "Darling, Harry isn't like that. Or at least, he wasn't from what I remember. Don't call him the Chosen One, and don't worry about the way you dress. Go put on jeans, I know you like them more. We aren't anywhere formal, uniform dress is not required."
"Of course," Gabrielle smiled and retreated. Ginny was still surprised, even after all their years of friendship, that Gabrielle could speak English so well. When she'd first met her in their dormitory at Beauxbatons, her English was about as good as Ginny's French.
Butchered and painful to the ear, in case you were wondering.
She and Gabrielle had stopped at the Burrow to drop their things in Ginny's room before they would take a portkey to Number 12, Grimmauld Place. While her friend changed, Ginny looked around her old, rugged home and felt some guilt for the money her parents spent making sure she had brand new robes, new books, and a great education. She liked her finer things, yes, but standing in her humble kitchen wearing a simple sundress and no shoes made her feel a little bit more like herself.
As her eyes roamed over the kitchen table, she smiled at a seeing a letter with her name scribbled in her mother's handwriting. She picked it up so that she'd remember to read it later.
When Gabrielle had put on her jean shorts and a flowing top, the girls were ready to take the portkey. As it hadn't begun glowing yet, Ginny sat down beside it to read the letter. It started off normal enough, but soon took a dramatic turn when mentioning old traditions and Harry Potter.
Or, well, Harry Black.
"Ginny?" Gabrielle looked down at her friend. She appeared stony-faced, but Gabrielle saw the tears brewing and her ears turning pink from anger. The redhead's hands shook tremendously, even as their portkey began to glow bright blue. "Ginny, grab the portkey, darling."
"What?" Ginny croaked. She looked at her best friend and then, in alarm, grabbed the kitchen pot before her. The last thing either heard before feeling their take off was a broken sob from Ginny.
)-(
Harry paced in the small, grassy area behind his home. He still couldn't wrap his head around the idea that he was supposed to marry a girl he barely knew at so young an age! And if he didn't, he couldn't have his own children. That had always been the thing he wanted most. Despite loving Sirius and his other adoptive family, he yearned for his birth parents, to know the people who loved him enough to sacrifice themselves for him. He wanted to have his own children to have that kind of draw to.
His thoughts were interrupted when two girls landed gracefully in front of his feet. He almost laughed at the irony of it being the girl with brown eyes he had never been able to refuse. Except now, those brown eyes were crying.
"Ginny?" he said in a thick voice. She looked nothing like he remembered, and yet exactly like he remembered. Instead of jeans and boy-like t-shirts from her youth, she wore a lovely navy blue sundress that showed off her well-developed curves. The tiny waist hidden by baggy clothes was now revealed and gave her a nice shape. Her legs were lean and well-exercised, and her arms toned. The features of her face were more defined (though laced with anger) and her thick red hair fell straight down her back and across her shoulders like a fire colored river.
She was beautiful. He barely noticed the blonde girl next to her.
"Are you crying because you know?" Ginny asked brokenly, kneeling in defeat. Harry did the same, nodding. "I don't even know how to approach you after all these years, and yet I'm supposed to marry you?!"
Her friend backed up in shock. "Ginny! What did you just say?"
"I am so sorry," Harry said sincerely. "If I can, I'll find a way out of it, I promise. I don't want to force you to ruin your life because of our parents."
She sniffled. "Always so honorable."
"I try," Harry replied. They sat in awkward silence together for a moment, Gabrielle standing to the side in utter confusion. "I'm not sure what we're to do now, honestly."
"Nor am I," she confessed. Ginny looked back on all her diplomatic training and tried to dry her tears and calm her anger. In front of her, Harry was pulling himself together only moments before he stood and offered a hand to his betrothed. She smiled up at him sadly and took the hand, allowing him to pull her up.
Whoa. She'd forgotten how green his eyes were.
"I suppose we just learn to deal with this, hmm?" Harry asked. Ginny was different then he remembered, and it unsettled him. She was almost groomed, with her calming temper. Her anger had been visible, and she'd clearly been crying, but she seemed to be rebuilding herself in the way that Sirius had taught him growing up. It was aristocratic and diplomatic—not at all like the Ginny he remembered throwing mud at.
When the duo entered the house, they were shocked to find Ron, Fred, and George in a screaming match with Molly, Arthur, and Sirius.
"SHE IS SIXTEEN!" Fred's voice was hoarse. "HOW CAN YOU DO THIS?"
Molly was in tears. "WE WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR HER AND DONT YOU DARE ACT LIKE YOU KNOW BETTER THAN HER PARENTS!"
"WE WOULDNT IF YOU HADNT SOLD YOUR DAUGHTER LIKE A COMMON COW!" Ron yelled back. "IS THIS WHY YOU SENT HER AWAY? TO MAKE HER AN ARISTOCRAT'S WIFE?"
"TO GIVE HER A BETTER FUTURE, RONALD," Arthur pointed at his son. "YOU WILL SIT DOWN AND STOP DISRESPECTING YOUR PARENTS."
"EEEENNOOUUGHHH."
The six people in the dining room stopped and turned at the sound of Harry's voice. They were clearly still agitated, but everyone seemed shocked by Ginny's presence. The young Weasley member smiled stiffly. "Mum. Daddy. This is my best friend from school, Gabrielle Delacour."
"Hello Gabrielle," Molly said kindly, but stiffly. "So sorry you have to see this."
"It's perfectly fine," Gabrielle smiled awkwardly.
"You girls must be tired," Sirius, always the good host, jumped in. "I'm Sirius Black, Master of this house. If you'll make your way up to the first floor, there's a bathroom and a drawing room where you can freshen up and rest for a moment. Guests will be arriving in about thirty minutes, and that's where they'll be."
"If you don't mind," Ginny said softly. "I'd like to speak to my parents and Harry. And of course you, Sirius."
"Of course darling," Arthur answered. "Sirius' library is up on the third floor, we'll go there."
Sirius offered his arm to Ginny. She took it like a lady, with shoulders back and head high. "Thank you, Master Sirius."
He winced at the cold tone, but simply showed her where to go.
When the Weasley parents moved to go upstairs as well, Harry stayed a moment in the dining room. He looked at the other Weasley brothers, almost glad the intimidating older two weren't there. "I had no idea about any of this."
"We know, mate," Ron assured him. "It's no more your fault than Ginny's. You're both in a rough situation."
"Yeah, no worries, Potter," George clamped a hand on his shoulder. "You're still a git, but one we love dearly." He finished with a wink as he always did, calming Harry just a bit.
Harry looked to his best friend. "You're sure you don't want to kill me?"
Ron looked upstairs with evident anger. "It's not you I want to kill."
Harry and Ron showed uncharacteristic outward affection and hugged. Ron clapped Harry on the back for extra assurance and let his best friend go upstairs.
When Harry entered the room, all was silent. They had apparently waited for him to return before progressing. He appreciated that and made way to the cushioned chair once more.
"I know this all very confusing," Sirius said softly. "But fifteen years ago, it made sense to us all."
"Can Harry not have his name changed?" Ginny piped up. "Then the contract would be null and void, would it not?"
"I'm afraid not," Sirius shook his head. "The contract recognizes Harry as Harold Black, and the curse would pertain to him, even if his name was changed. Because of his name at the time, this is how it must be. We thought things would be different now."
"When we were young, arranged marriages were still quite common among old, Pureblood families," she said. "It's still common today, only a little less...formal."
Harry covered his face. "Well, what are we to do now? I've a year left of school, Ginny's got two...how is this set to work out?"
"Ginny will transfer to Hogwarts this semester," Arthur explained. "Except, she'll be a seventh year. She'd advanced enough in her studies that she'll do perfectly well this year."
The hint of pride in his voice made Ginny smile slightly.
"And what are we to tell people?" Harry pressed. "That we're part of an arranged marriage we can't get away from?"
"Of course not," Molly sighed exasperatedly. "Ginny and Gabrielle will stay here for the remainder of the summer. During the first term, you will...court her."
"It's called dating now, mum," Ginny said good-naturedly. "I suspect the story will be that Harry proposes over the break because we're so in love? And then we'll get married next June?"
"That sounds about right," Sirius said. "Smart girl, you are."
Ginny blushed. "Thank you. So we won't be expected to go out into public together until I start hanging around them at school? And then we start dating soon after the term starts?"
"Yes," Arthur nodded. "Your brothers will know and be sworn to secrecy, as well as Remus and Tonks."
Harry was rather still. "I suppose there's nothing I can do but say yes, is there?"
"I'm afraid so," Sirius nodded. Ginny and Harry looked at each other, and their agreement in the backyard was passed between them once again. "I know you'll both make the best of the situation. It's how you've both been raised."
Harry nodded this was true. Aside from his schooling, Sirius had always brought him up to be a gentlemen. Even though the Black family was something Sirius despised, he wanted Harry to be raised the same way James was; with aristocratic intent. Lily had been thrust into that life as a young woman, something he hadn't wanted to happen to Ginny. For this reason, he funded her schooling in France.
She was brought up like a lady.
"Guests will be arriving soon," Sirius said. "Harry, son, why don't you go change into something a little nicer to receive our guests in, hmm?"
"Right," Harry nodded and stood. "I'll see you lot downstairs."
Walking down the hall to his own bedroom, Harry shut the door and leaned heavily against it. He looked at the portrait of his parents dancing and a deep sadness welled up within him. If it hadn't been for Voldemort, he would still have them. He would always live in his house in the countryside, he would be able to choose who he loved, and he would be able to have children with that woman.
What if things had been different?
Shaking the self-pitying, panicky thoughts from his head, Harry dressed in nicer jeans and a green, long sleeved shirt Molly had gotten him for Christmas. He ruffled up his hair, cleaned his glasses, and made his way downstairs. He plastered on a smile and shook hands with Order members, school mates, and mother hens who all kissed his cheek lovingly.
He was surprised when Bill Weasley walked up to him, holding the arm of Fleur Delacour. She smiled at the sight of him, which confused him as they barely knew each other.
"Harry!" Bill grinned. "Happy Birthday, mate!" He brought Harry close and whispered in his ear, "Mum's told me. I'm so sorry."
"Thanks, Bill," he said. "Fleur, hello."
"Hello, 'Arry," she said kindly. "Bill speaks very 'ighly of you."
"Fleur works at Gringotts," Bill explained. "When we met in the lunch room and realized our sisters knew each other, we struck up conversation. I've been teaching her English."
"Is that how you two started dating, then?" Harry grinned.
"It is," Bill smiled widely and Fleur blushed. "Anyways, I'll let you get back to your party. Just wanted to introduce you."
Similar conversations as such sprung up around the room. Harry felt at his wits end, having to keep himself in social graces while underneath he was melting down about his life taking a complete turn. Would it be for the worse? Or for the better?
At some point, Ginny and Harry ended up side by side in the room. Her eyes were no longer puffed up and she still had a calm and collected air about her that instantly made Harry feel ten times better. She looked him right in the eye.
"Don't break down, mon cherie," she said softly. "Take everything ten seconds at the time."
He raised an eyebrow. "Pardon?"
"Can you handle all this for another ten seconds?" Ginny smirked.
He nodded.
"Focus on my eyes. I'll count. One...two...three..."
Harry did just that, focusing on her brown eyes for ten seconds. It was long enough to notice the gold flecks in them. When she finished counting, she asked him if he could do another ten seconds. He agreed. This went on for a minute.
"See?" Ginny elbowed him lightly. "It only takes ten seconds at a time. Before you know it, you make it through the night."
"That's actually really helpful," Harry said in amazement. "Ten seconds."
"Ten seconds," she agreed, just as Kreacher approached them.
"Master Harry," he croaked. "Miss. Granger and Miss. Luna have arrived."
"Spectacular!" Harry grinned. "Ginny, Gabrielle, would you mind accompanying me to the ground floor? There are some people I'd like you to meet."
)-(
"What are you so nervous about?" Luna asked whimsically. "Harry is a good friend of mine."
"I don't know him very well, Luna," Hermione fidgeted. "We've met once or twice at the ministry, but not nearly as much as you and he have, you know that. I won't know any of these people!"
"I thought you were in love with Ron?"
"Luna! I don't know him, I can't be in love with him."
The blonde girl just smiled. "I believe it's why Harry told me to bring you."
"Oh don't be ridiculous."
They approached Grimmauld Place, Hermione following Luna's lead. She, unlike Luna, had barely spent any time with Harry Potter. After befriending Luna at their shared internship at the ministry (she'd always thought Luna was a bit of a nutter at school, even though they shared the same house), she'd eaten lunch a couple times with their group of friends. She found that she didn't fit in very well, for they all looked at her oddly every time she spoke. Despite her attraction to Ronald Weasley, Hermione decided it was easier to eat alone.
They were greeted inside by a croaking old house elf who promised to fetch his master. Hermione thanked him profusely, sad to see such an old creature working still. He took their coats and left him in the hall, snapping his fingers so that he disappeared.
"It's a very warm place," Luna commented lightly.
Hermione couldn't stop a smile. Luna was strange, but she was ever so lovely.
Soon, Harry himself came down the stairs, followed by two girls. Hermione kept her judgements to herself, but she had to wonder if he always had girls following him around his home. She knew he couldn't escape it at school, but here?
Stop it, Hermione! She chastised herself. Get out of your head.
"Hello," Harry said cheerily. "Luna, it's great to see you. How's your father?"
"Wonderful," Luna smiled.
"Hermione?" Harry asked. "Are you well?"
"I am," she replied. "Thank you for inviting me."
"It's no problem," he grinned. "I think you'll make some friends here. Speaking of which, this is Ron's little sister, Ginny, and her friend Gabrielle. They're from Beauxbatons. Gabrielle's older sister is Fleur, she competed in our fourth year, during the TriWizard Tournament."
"Yes, I remember," Hermione smiled.
"You were Victor Krum's date!" Gabrielle giggled. "What was he like?"
Harry immediately looked uncomfortable. Hermione shrugged awkwardly. "He was handsome, and quite a good dancer."
"Fleur said he was boring, but I just can't imagine that," Gabrielle beamed.
Hermione's blush darkened, and she was a little sad. As usual, that was all anybody ever wanted to ask her.
Ginny stepped in. "You're in Ravenclaw, correct?"
"Yes," Hermione answered slowly. "I am."
"Tell me," she said excitedly. "Do you enjoy muggle novels as much as wizarding novels? I find the variety refreshing, but most people don't like the lack of magic."
"I love them," Hermione gaped. "I grew up on Jane Austen."
Harry stepped back, pleased that Hermione and Ginny got on so well. Maybe that meant Ron would have a shoe in...
"Alright, you lot come on upstairs," Harry said. "We're about to have dessert."
Hermione smiled to herself. Maybe these people weren't so bad after all.