Chapter 2 – Love and Gossip
Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Percy and George had left the Burrow early for work. Bill and Fleur would then return to Shell Cottage. Percy said he'd kip at the Ministry and Charlie didn't want to leave George alone and would stay on the couch in George's flat. Fred's room would stay empty for now. They would all be gone a few days, and then return for Fred's funeral. Bill would have a lot to do at Gringotts as customers returned to see how or even if their accounts survived the war. Charlie decided to stay in England and had accepted temporary work with the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, where there was a heavy workload keeping all the creatures dragged into the war away from Muggle neighbourhoods. Percy found himself inundated with a heavy workload stemming from the chaos following the fall of Tom Riddle's regime. George wanted to keep busy and decided to check out the joke shop, or what was left of it after the war.
Molly had made a delicious breakfast for the ones still at the Burrow. Arthur and Molly looked up as Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny descended the stairs into the kitchen. "Good morning, dears," Molly said. "Would you like a cup of tea?"
"Yes, please," the quartet replied in chorus.
"A cuppa would be nice, Molly," Arthur said.
Soon, everyone had been served and Molly took her place at the table. Arthur noticed Ron held the Daily Prophet, and appeared to be crushing it in his considerable fist.
"Ah, I see Errol delivered the Prophet to your room this morning? I don't understand that owl. May I have it Ron," Arthur asked, tugging at the paper still clenched in his son's fist.
"Errol's senile, the ruffled git." Ron huffed.
Harry and Ginny looked at each other, Hermione bit her lower lip, and Ron balked as he looked nervously at his father.
"Mr and Mrs Weasley, we—we'd like to tell you something first," Harry said, feeling more nervous than he did facing Riddle.
"Yes dear," Molly said with a warm smile.
Harry felt uncertain as to how to go about telling them, what with the shock of Fred having been killed only two days ago coupled with the joy of the victory, raw emotions stirred the already tense air. Molly looked at him with a concerned expression as she noted his hesitation. "I... I'm in love...with Ginny," he stammered in that genuinely honest way that was so typical for Harry. Molly looked at them and a bright smile began to steal across her worried features.
Ginny took hold of Harry's exposed hand. "And I love Harry." She said it confidently, but quickly, as if hoping to stave off an explosion.
No explosion came. Instead, Molly took their clasped hands in hers and said just above a whisper, "I was hoping that's what I saw."
"We've noticed the stolen glances and dreamy eyes, the whispers, the chaste kisses, and the handholding these last couple of days at Hogwarts as well as here at the Burrow since last night. We don't miss as much as you think we do," Arthur said with a wink and a nod.
"Actually, Harry and I were together last year before he left for his mission with Ron and Hermione," Ginny said. "I guess we want you to know that we are serious about this. Harry is officially my boyfriend," Ginny declared.
Molly had a moment when she seemed to have a hard time accepting the fact that her daughter had a boyfriend. Then she started to cry. For a second, Harry feared she didn't approve after all.
"Ginny... Harry... I'm so happy to hear this..." Molly said through her tears.
"Congratulations," Arthur said.
"We wanted to tell you, but the Prophet forced our hand before we could give what we wanted to say too much thought," Harry said.
"Exactly. Some witch I'd like to curse in a very nasty way wrote a horrid piece full of lies about Harry's love life," Ginny said as Ron handed the paper over to their parents and pointed out the offending article. "We wanted to tell you ourselves rather than have you read it from that," Ginny spat as she slapped it with her fingertips. Arthur and Molly bent their own red heads together to read the article.
"Most of it isn't true," Ron said. "Hermione and Luna are Harry's friends, although..." Ron paused," you did go on one disastrous date with Cho, Harry..."
"Ron, please," Harry said. "You don't have to defend me. But I ask again: Should I let the press write whatever they want about me or should I tell them outright that Ginny and I are together? They all turned to Molly and Arthur for guidance, since they were all at a loss for ideas.
"Oh dear," Molly said compassionately. "I keep forgetting you four are probably the most famous witches and wizards in the country."
"I don't want any fame or glory. I never wanted any of it," Harry huffed. "I just want to get on with my life now that I have one to look forward to without Voldemort trying to kill me." Harry stared into his teacup, his left hand shielding his eyes and didn't notice that mentioning the name didn't startle the Weasleys as much as it had done in the past.
"I honestly don't think any of you can avoid the fame," Arthur said resolutely. "You are considered heroes and saviours of our world. At this point, all you can do is just deal with it the best you can. Of course, you have our full support, and I'm sure I can speak for all of us when I say the Weasley family is behind you and we'll do all we can to help. Furthermore, I want both of you to know, Harry and Hermione, that you are welcome to stay here as long as you wish. As far as the Weasleys are concerned, you are as much members of this family as Ron and Ginny," Arthur told them as he looked the two friends straight in the eye.
"Thanks, Mr and Mrs Weasley. That means a lot to me," Harry said softly as he felt the sting of tears welling up in his emerald green eyes. He didn't really want to be anywhere but by Ginny's side. He couldn't stay at Hogwarts and his only other option was Grimmauld Place. He couldn't find the words to express now much it meant to him to be welcomed to the Burrow.
"Yes, thank you," choked Hermione, stifling yet another sob as she pushed Ron with her shoulder, clearly encouraging him to tell his parents about their relationship as well, especially since his father had just all but adopted her into the family.
"Mum...Dad," Ron said with a tremble in his voice. "I...that is, we...want to tell you something too."
"What," Mrs Weasley asked, looking sharply at him.
"I want to tell you that...Hermione wants to give you another piece of news."
Harry could hardly contain himself from laughing hysterically when he saw the murderous look on Hermione's face. Heart of a lion, this one.
"Well, Ronald, let me just spell it all out then," Hermione ground through clenched teeth. She turned to Mr and Mrs Weasley, squared her shoulders and said simply, "Ron is my boyfriend."
Silence. Oh no! What have I done? Tears began to well up in her eyes and her heart fell into her stomach.
"Why in the name of Merlin's most outrageous underwear did you need Hermione to tell us that," Molly asked her blushing youngest son with a shriek.
"You're not angry," Ron asked, eyes wide and hopeful..
"Angry," Mrs Weasley yelled. "Why would we be angry?"
"I...I dunno, Mum. I was just afraid..." Ron didn't quite know what to say at that point. He was just so relieved that his parents approved of his and Hermione's relationship. Hermione lightly dropped her forehead onto his shoulder and shook it in frustration.
Harry and Ginny just stared at each other, snickering and shaking their own heads in awe of Ron's clumsy awkwardness. Harry had since slipped his arm around her waist. "Unbe-freakin-lievable," Ginny laughed into Harry's shoulder, her tone low enough for only him to hear.
"I guess congratulations are in order for you two too, then," Mr Weasley beamed.
"So...just when did this happen," Molly asked Ron, who was still blushing. "Those other lovebirds apparently got together last year. What do you have to say for yourselves?"
"It was Hermione's fault," Ron said.
That did it. Harry and Ginny fell all over each other in gales of unbridled laughter. Hermione slid her forehead from Ron's shoulder onto the table, her arms dangling at her sides, while she shook herself limp from laughing so hard. Mr and Mrs Weasley literally howled. Ron, at first, couldn't understand what was so funny, but then he realized what he'd said and began to laugh too.
Ron pulled himself together while the others worked to catch their collective breath. "It was during the battle. I said something about not forcing House-elves to fight for us and the next thing I knew, Hermione kissed me. But I've wanted to kiss her for years," Ron said earnestly.
Tears formed once again in Molly Weasley's eyes as she took one of Hermione's hands in one of her own and then turning to Harry, took one of his into her other.
"Hermione...Harry. I...you...bloody hell!" She drew her surrogate son and daughter into one of her famous bone-crushing hugs as tears of joy spilled down her care-worn face.
After several moments, she released them.
"Ginny, I'm so happy for you and Harry," she said, and then turned to Ron. "And you should be happy, because Hermione must be completely in love with you to put up with you."
More laughter rang through the Burrow. In the midst of the mirth, Mr Weasley swept his eyes around the table as his lovely wife, Molly, and his youngest son and daughter together with their sweethearts chatted away seemingly without a care in the world. Life is good. Life is GOOD!
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As they finished breakfast, another owl arrived with a letter for Harry from Kingsley, asking for his own account of the events in the forest the night of the final battle, and how he managed to survive the Killing curse for a second time. Kingsley also offered an official Ministry apology on behalf of the newspaper. He had been less than thrilled with the Prophet's article about Harry's private life, and suggested that perhaps the four of them might put their heads together and compose an official statement in hopes that the thing could be laid to rest once and for all. So, with Hermione as scribe, the four friends sequestered themselves in Ron's room and hammered out a statement to send back with Kingsley's owl for release the next day.
"I realize the Wizarding world wants answers about the events leading up to the death of Tom Marvolo Riddle, alias 'Lord Voldemort' or 'The Dark Lord,' and you deserve at least that. The truth is that my mother, Lily Potter, sacrificed her life to save mine all those years ago. Circumstance and ancient magic created a protection that destroyed Tom Riddle without killing him outright. Upon capturing the Triwizard Cup at the end of the third task of the Triwizard Tournament three years ago, Cedric Diggory and I were transported to a graveyard where Voldemort would rise again as a result of a hideous ritual spell he created to regenerate his body. Unfortunately, Cedric was murdered that night for no other reason than he happened to be there."
"Harry, are you sure you want to include Cedric in this," Hermione asked doubtfully. "I mean, what does Cedric's death have to do with anything?"
"Hermione, Cedric Diggory is as much a casualty of this war as any of the others," Harry shot back. "And what's more, he wouldn't even have been there if I hadn't insisted we take the Cup together. He didn't have to die..." Harry began to shake as the memory of that awful night in Little Hangleton flooded his memory.
Ginny could sense the turmoil rising in her boyfriend's very soul. She took him in her arms and caressed his back. "It's not your fault, Harry. You didn't kill Cedric; Wormtail did under orders from Voldemort. How could you have known that the Triwizard Cup was a Portkey? Nobody knew that—not even Dumbledore." She gently reasoned with Harry, still passing her hand up and down his back, speaking softly, reminding him to let go of his guilt.
"She's right, mate," Ron agreed. "You did what you had to do. We all did."
Harry wiped a few rogue tears away, turned to stare deeply into Ginny's eyes, and began to relax. I could drown in those eyes and die a happy man. I know I could never have survived all of that without the very thought of loving her to hold on to.
Ron and Hermione looked on in wonder. For the life of them, they couldn't fathom how Ginny had so easily calmed one of Harry's emotional storms so readily, when it had often taken hours for them to do the same thing.
"All right, then," Harry announced, clapping his hands together, "let's crack on, yeah?" The others nodded in agreement. Harry asked Hermione to read back what she had written in order to get his bearings so they could, in fact, crack on. "Right, then," he said and resumed dictation.
"Part of that spell included the forceful taking of my blood in order to take my mother's protection onto himself. As a result of this horrible ritual, Riddle made himself vulnerable to the very thing he perceived as protection. When he fired the Killing curse at me, that element that my mother had placed into the blood that now flowed through his own veins caused that curse to backfire and finish him instead of me.
As for the whereabouts and the activities of my friends and me for all those months, I will tell you this: We set out on a dangerous mission under orders of Albus Dumbledore to tell no one—not even our families—what we were doing. It was a matter of trust and security necessary to ensure our success and that we might bring about the destruction of Lord Voldemort's terror and his ultimate and permanent demise."
Harry suddenly felt compelled to look over at Ginny, who had a strange expression in her face. Harry had told her only two days before what that mission was all about and she truly appreciated the precarious position her boyfriend, brother, and best friend had been placed in. But to hear Harry tell that tale this way drove home just how lucky they all were to be alive and how truly thankful she was to whichever higher powers allowed him to return to her.
"Ginny, baby, what's wrong," Harry asked as he tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"Oh...well... I...I was just thinking about how horrible it must have been for you, constantly on the run, cold and hungry, scared...and...and all...alone like that." Her voice trembled as she spoke. She remembered how lonely and afraid she, herself, had been all that time, not knowing whether they were alive or dead. She threw herself into Harry's arms and a single tear ran down her cheek. "Have you any idea how frightened we were for you? Day after day without any word as to where you lot were or if you were even alive, praying to any god who would listen to please let you come home to us in one piece! I'm just so...so... Oh Harry, I was so lonely without you. I almost couldn't breathe! I'm so grateful you came home to me alive and still wanting to be with me!"
Hermione crawled into Ron's lap as tears of sympathy for Ginny flowed down her face, soaking Ron's tee-shirt. He pulled her in closer, pressing soft kisses to the top of her bushy head.
"I know, Gin, and I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that for me...for us," Harry murmured into her hair. He held her as close to himself as humanly possible while her body shook with sobs and she shed a few more tears . "I never meant for you to suffer. Please believe me. But we weren't exactly alone. We had each other to lean on."
"Yeah, Gin-Gin. It was no picnic, but it could have been worse. Hermione, here, thought of everything we might need to make that situation bearable," Ron told his sister. And this brilliant beautiful witch is mine. Weasley, you may be a git, but you're a lucky git.
"Oh, look at me, will you," Ginny said suddenly. "Weeping like a leaky hosepipe!" She made to wipe her face and blow her nose with her own handkerchief.
"We did our share of that, too, Ginny," smiled Hermione reassuringly, all too aware of Ginny's feelings about crying. "I can't tell you how many rivers we cried, whether we cried together or in secret. There no shame in tears," she said.
Ginny didn't exactly agree, but chose not to discuss the matter. Shame or no shame, Ginny didn't like crying and these last few days she'd been doing it far too much, or so she thought. The morning after the battle was the only time she knew it had actually felt good to cry and release her grief in tears.
"I'm sorry I went off on such a soggy tangent. Let's just finish this, shall we," Ginny said.
"You're sure you're all right," Harry asked.
"Yes, Love, I'm fine," Ginny assured him as she took his hand and twined her fingers with his. Her eyes still glistened with unshed tears, but she beamed up at Harry anyway. I love you so much, Harry Potter.
Hermione again read back what they'd already written so Harry could gather his thoughts once again and continue. "Ah, yes. The private life thing," he said rolling his eyes.
There has been an inordinate amount of speculation regarding events in my private life, both past and present. I humbly ask the Wizarding world, especially the media, to respect my privacy and leave off further rumour mongering. Most of that speculation seems to concern my love life, involving a few friends of mine and the careless bandying about of their names. I will say this one time only, with the hopes that there will be no more of it. I ask that the media please respect their privacy as well as my own. The absolute truth as to my relationship with the witches whose names appeared in this morning's issue of the Daily Prophet is as follows:
Hermione Granger is like a sister to me, and I think that says it all. I love her dearly, but there never has been, nor will there ever be any romance between us.
Parvati Patil is a friend and fellow Gryffindor in my year. While it is true that she attended the Yule Ball with me, she did so as a friend and nothing more.
Cho Chang and I had a mutual crush on one another for a time. We did date and were briefly romantically involved, but nothing ever came of it. Cho remains a loyal friend who proved her honour when Dumbledore's Army called its own to battle. She readily responded and fought furiously alongside our comrades.
Luna Lovegood is one of my closest friends and, as such, she kindly agreed to be my date for one of Professor Slughorn's parties, since a date for the evening was required. There never has been, nor will there ever be any romance between Luna and me.
Ginny Weasley is my cherished one, and I love her more than life itself. I ask the Wizarding world to please respect our wishes and allow us to live in peace. If anything develops in our relationship that we might wish to make public, we shall do so. Until then, please allow us, our families, and our friends our well-earned and much-appreciated privacy.
Harry J. Potter, OMFC
"By Merlin's beard, I could do without the fame." Harry said. "I think it's only right, though, that I should send Prongs to Parvati, Luna, and Cho..." The other's looked at him, raising their eyebrows in question. "What? I wouldn't publish this without letting them know in advance what I've written," he said.
"Prongs?" Ginny asked.
"My Patronus. He's a stag, just like my dad's animagus form, and his Marauder name was Prongs."
Harry drew his wand and gazed lovingly over Ginny's angelic face. He could think of no better way to fill his mind with happiness to produce his Patronus. Whether he actually thought Expecto Patronum or only thought of producing his Patronus, just looking at Ginny brought the great stag bounding forth from his wand. Then he leaned in and gave Ginny a tender kiss.
"Harry!" Hermione shouted, her eyes filled with excitement, "did you do that non-verbally?"
"I don't know, I guess so. All I really know is that I looked at Ginny and the Patronus appeared. I've done non-verbal magic loads of times. What's the big deal," he asked.
"A Patronus is very advanced magic, Harry. I'm not sure even Professor Dumbledore was able to cast that one non-verbally," Hermione said.
"I guess I really hadn't thought about it. I just felt so natural, as though I'd been doing it all my life," Harry admitted. "Look, let me just get this message off to Parvati, Cho, and Luna," Harry said and sent off a Patronus asking them to approve it or make whatever changes they deemed necessary.
He then asked them for their approval to publish it. Within an hour, Luna and Parvati had approved his statement, and by noon an owl delivered a note from Cho.
Harry,
Thank you for standing up for us in your statement to the media. My parents had become very angry with me when they read the lies about us in the Prophet. It seems they always believed in you...well, sending your Patronus did half the job...and they are now actually proud of me. They're proud because I've been fighting for freedom, but also because 'their daughter actually dated this country's most famous wizard.' (it was embarrassing to hear them say that). I really appreciate the way you stood up for not only your closest friends, like Hermione and Luna, but also for me and Parvati. I'm really happy for you and Ginny. Anyone who's ever seen the two of you together knows that you're truly meant for each other.
Cho
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Later that afternoon, the Weasley clan had once again assembled around the family table. Arthur had called the meeting in order to allow Ginny to present Harry to the family as they had made their relationship official and it would be announced in the newspapers the following morning. And despite heavy work load it was likely the Weasley brothers had heard something about the articles in the Prophet about their sister.
"Dear brothers," Ginny said, "I want to introduce Harry Potter. Harry, these are my brothers, Bill, that lovely lady next to him is his wife, Fleur, the stocky one there is Charlie, the bespectacled one next to him is Percy, the shifty one there is George, and you already know Ron, the tall one sitting with Hermione." Ginny pointed to each one individually.
Harry just sat there staring at her in disbelief. What are they playing at?
"Yeah, like anyone wouldn't know who Harry is," George said sarcastically. "We know Harry. Hell, every wizard in the ruddy country knows Harry."
"Harry is my boyfriend," Ginny said with a wicked gleam in her eye.
The kitchen went dead silent. Harry's heart sank into his stomach, but Ginny took Harry's hand and glared at her brothers defiantly, as if daring them to say or do something completely...Weasley-ish. Under the table, her hand was on her wand, poised to strike with a quick Bat Bogey Hex if need be. Whether the Weasley bretheren had heard any rumours during the day or not, they we now faced with the fact that their little sister had a boyfriend.
Charlie looked at them gravely and arose from the table. "Harry, you must understand that we are very protective of our sister. I, personally, have been waiting for this day. In fact, as I waited, I concocted a plan to toss any bloke she might bring home to a dragon. If he got out of it alive, I would accept him."
Harry blanched. This can't be good. He stole a glance at Ginny, who simply squeezed his hand as Charlie continued.
"But you, Harry, have already passed that test. You fought and beat a vicious Hungarian Horntail in the Triwizard Tournament, so let me be the first of the Weasley brethren to accept you!" He shook Harry's slightly trembling hand and slapped him on the back. Turning to Ginny, his smile softened. He stroked his sister's hair with rough, scarred hands, hugged her briefly, and said gently, "Ginny, I'm happy for you. It's obvious you more than like him." Charlie then took his seat.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief. One down, four to go. Five, if Fred...
George stood up next. His stony face betrayed none of the friendly mischief George Weasley was famous for. "Harry, like Charlie, I had a plans of my own for any bloke Ginny brought home. I imagined I would duel him. Well, it seems like a pretty stupid idea now, since it's you who taught me everything I know about duelling...and I have little doubt that you know more spells and hexes than I'll ever learn. You also handily kicked Voldy's arse and I think it's safe to say he was a tougher opponent for you than I could ever be. Anyway, I think I shall avoid public embarrassment by skipping the challenge altogether. To be honest, Harry, I find it hard to imagine that Ginny would choose any man less than yourself." With that, he gave Harry a friendly punch to the shoulder and sat down.
Two down, three to go.
Bill and Fleur stood next and paused, looking back and forth at Ginny and then Harry with expressions Harry couldn't quite read. Bill folded his arms across his chest and settled his gaze on Harry.
This won't be too bad. Bill already told me he's okay with this. Harry pretended to be nervous for Ginny's sake, since she was not privy to the discussion he and Bill had in the Great Hall over lunch.
"Harry, as you know I work for Gringotts. I guess any challenge I might have imagined would involve locking the man in one of our more secure vaults. If he managed to escape with his life and his youth, I would deem him worthy of our Ginny. However, since you managed the impossible by breaking into and then out of the place, you've more than proven yourself worthy of her." A wide grin replaced his stony expression. "Besides Harry, Fleur has had nothing but the highest praise for your character ever since she worked with you in the Triwizard Tournament...and that's something coming from a part-Veela," he added with a chuckle. Bill caught Harry up in a brotherly bear hug.
When he released him, Fleur placed her hands on both Harry's shoulders and gave him a peck on both cheeks, a custom so completely French. "Welcome, 'Arry," she whispered.
Three down, two to go.
Percy didn't bother to stand. He just looked up at Harry from across the table."What can I say," Percy asked. "You broke into the Ministry and successfully escaped, with detainees, so there goes my challenge." Everyone laughed as Percy shook Harry's hand. "Be good to her," he said, as he turned his head slightly and winked at his sister.
Four down, one to go. Ron. His is the approval I need most of all.
For her part, Ginny stared back at her middle brother in mild surprise. To wink at anyone for any reason was completely uncharacteristic of Percy, who carried himself off as so stoic and proper. But then again, Percy's demeanour had changed drastically since the battle. He'd been so kind to George over losing Fred, and then yesterday, he stood with his brothers to guard Harry against swarming press after the ceremony. There's hope for him yet.
Ron stood and walked around the table and stood next to Harry, placing one of his large hands on Harry's shoulder. "Harry, you're my best mate. I've never met anyone quite like you. You're loyal, devoted, brave, and completely mental sometimes." Ron began to choke up a little has the rest of the family snickered, not used to Ron's sincerity. "Believe me, you'll need all of those qualities to put up with my sister." Ron and Harry both smirked as another chuckle went around the table. "I had a hard time accepting that the two of you are mad for each other until Hermione practically shoved her wand up my nose the other morning, forcing me to see reason."
Hermione blushed scarlet. "Honestly, Ronald. You were being a complete prat about the whole thing," she said in mock indignation. More laughter.
"I know, 'Mione," he said, slightly abashed. "This isn't easy for me, okay? Anyway, Harry, Hermione made me step back and take a hard look at the thing that had begun to grow between you—that very deep love you two share. It's phenomenal and I'm very happy for you." Rare tears began to well up in Ron's eyes as he surveyed his best mate's face. "Unlike my distinguished brothers, here, I never had a challenge for you. Nobody knows better than me that you're worthy of Ginny. For Merlin's sake, Harry, you fought off a basilisk for her, faced Voldemort, and even died for her! If that doesn't prove you worthy, I can't imagine anything that could!"
Harry stood and embraced his friend as he had never embraced anyone before. He simply couldn't help himself. He had never known Ron to share his feelings, especially this way, so it really touched him. "Thanks, mate," he mumbled. "I can't tell you how important your opinion is to me. I wanted you to be pleased, most of all."
Ginny and Hermione burst into tears as they each watched their significant others in their bonding moment. Unbeknownst to one another, the same thought echoed in their minds. Who is that man and what has he done with Ron?
The elder brothers looked curiously at the youngest, his revelation still ringing in their minds. Not knowing what to make of it, they refrained from questioning him as their father stood to address them.
"Weasleys, what I'm about to say to you, I've already said to Harry. This fine young man sitting here at our table with us has done much for this family. He saved Ginny's life in the Chamber of Secrets, my own that night I was attacked at the Ministry, and Ron's last year at school when he was accidentally poisoned. The training Dumbledore's Army afforded George gave him the skills he needed to fight and survive the Battle of Hogwarts. We could say that indirectly, Harry saved another Weasley life. And who knows, Bill, if you would have survived Greyback's attack at Hogwarts the night Dumbledore was killed had the DA not existed to join in that fight." Arthur paused, allowing the magnitude of their situation sink in.
Molly rose and put her arm around her husband. "For any mother, I guess it's both a great joy and a bit troubling to see her children all grown up. Even more so for me, since we're talking about my only daughter, my baby. Harry, I have known you for years and I've considered you my own son for all that time—ever since you first appeared with Ron and the twins that morning they rescued you from your Aunt and Uncle in that ridiculous flying car. You have a capacity to love in a way few can imagine. It's obvious and thrilling that that love extends to Ginny, and that you would do literally anything for her." Molly had to pause for a moment to wipe away a tear. "Now I also know you are strong enough to take care of and temper our Ginny, but I also know you'll do so with tender loving care."
Floods of emotion began to overwhelm Harry to the point that his body literally shook. Tears streamed down his face. There was so much to take in. He'd never felt so loved—so accepted—before. Except for Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, he never knew love like this and wonderful as it was, it broke his heart.
Ginny could sense that the proverbial dam was about to break again. She wanted to take him in her arms as she had done only yesterday and let him pour his heart out against her breast again. But that was such a private thing and she knew to do that now, in front of the entire clan, would be inappropriate at the very least. All she could do was hold his hand and stroke it comfortingly as they listened to their mother.
For their own part, Ron and Hermione could tell that Harry was struggling with holding himself together. How many times had they seen this while they were on the hunt for the Horcruxes? How many times had they comforted him—comforted each other—during moments like this? Across the table from him, all they could do was watch and allow Ginny to comfort him while they held to each other, willing positive energy to their friend.
Molly continued. "And to you, my only daughter, when you were just four years old, you said you would marry Harry Potter some day. Hold on to him, and whatever you do, always be kind to him. He loves you so very much. Do this, Ginevra Molly Weasley, and that dream of yours may very well come true."
Arthur rose again and raised a glass of pumpkin juice. "A toast, Weasleys," he announced, "to our friend and brother, Harry Potter, whose courage and sacrifice has been vital to this family's survival through some very dark times. His unwavering devotion to doing what's right over what's easy has given us all another chance at a bright future. Slaínte!"
"Slaínte," they responded in stout unison, and drank.
This was just too much."Thanks," Harry croaked, staring at the hand that Ginny held on the table. He could say no more.
Everyone but George sat down after the toast. "Now, is anyone going to tell us what all that Harry died for Ginny business is all about, because Harry doesn't look very dead to me." Despite having been so taken over in strong emotions moments before, Harry let out a bit of a snicker. Trust George to break a moment with some kind of wisecrack. Good man, George.
Ron took the initiative to answer, although he knew Harry would much rather avoid the discussion altogether. " There will be a lot written in the Prophet tomorrow about the battle. As requested, we gave Kingsley our account to release to the public," he said glancing up at Harry and Hermione. "The Daily Prophet is going to report that a prophecy said that Harry and Voldemort had to kill each other. You'll read that Harry's mother's sacrifice lived in Voldemort's blood—blood he'd stolen from Harry—and that it ended up saving Harry's life.
Harry walked into that forest with his head held high to give himself up and let Voldemort kill him. Voldemort hit him square in the chest with the Killing curse. But...what won't be written is that he went to die for Ginny, so she could have a good life, free from fear of Voldemort. Hers was the last image he saw before the curse hit him.
The family sat in stunned silence until Bill, shaking his head in utter wonderment, broke it. "By Merlin's star-spangled headgear! Just about every bloke says he would die for his girl, but Harry, you actually did it!"
Harry shook his head. "Please, it may sound very romantic the way Ron put it, but believe me, knowing I was about to die taking a Killing curse is not what I'd call the most romantic highlight in my life. I mean, my thoughts about Ginny at that moment were certainly romantic," he said, placing his free arm around her waist, "but if I'm honest, I was scared as hell. But I felt like there was no other way. I had no choice. It had to be that way if she—if you or anybody—was to have a chance at a decent life."
There wasn't a dry eye around the table when Harry finished. Hermione sobbed softly into Ron's chest as his own tears soaked her bushy brown hair. Bill held Fleur close, rubbing his hand up and down her arm. Molly sobbed into Arthur's shoulder, while Percy, George, and Charlie stared at fumbling hands, saying nothing.
No one but Hermione seemed to notice that Harry and Ginny had gotten up and headed for the stairs. She nudged Ron and cocked her head their direction. Ron nodded, took her hand, and led her after them. They found Harry and Ginny on Ginny's bed holding each other. Ron and Hermione joined them, and soon they huddled in a group hug and cried together for their brother, Fred, and all the friends and fellow combatants lost in the war.
They kept to themselves for most of the rest of the day until Molly called them down to supper. Even she understood that the four of them needed time to sort out everything that had been said that afternoon, so she left them to it, not even bothering them until it was time for the evening meal. "Supper, dears," she called up the stairs. "Come now, after all that emotion, you must be famished," she said to them as they trooped down the stairs to the table. They had to admit that they were hungry, but they also felt much better having purged a few demons with their tears.
Following a sumptuous meal of roast pork, carrots, and potatoes, with a raspberry trifle for dessert, Ron and Hermione wandered off to who-knew-where to engage in who-knew-what, while Harry and Ginny were content to sit in the garden, cuddled up together listening to the sounds coming from the surrounding trees, and stealing occasional kisses in the twilight. Molly and Arthur watched them through the window. "They are very much in love, Arthur."
"Indeed they are, Molly. It almost makes me forget how young they are," he replied.
"They have been forced to mature. They were in love last year. It amazes me how their love survived all that time without seeing or hearing from one another. In that extended absence, that love appears to have grown."
"You're right, Mollywobbles. I think it's safe to say this is more than a simple teenage crush," Arthur guessed.
"Think about how Harry told us, Arty. A bit nervous, of course, but who wouldn't be nervous telling his girlfriend's parents about their relationship? He declared his love for her straightaway," Molly said and looked at her husband. "That impressed me."
"Hmmm, yes. You know, I have a feeling about Harry and Ginny—the same feeling I had about us when we got together," Arthur said.
"I know, and I think you're right. There is something uniquely special about them. I know I'm having a hard time accepting that she's growing up—that she has grown up—but I think we need to encourage their relationship. Within reason, of course," Molly added with a sly smile.
They continued to watch Harry and Ginny who sat wrapped tightly together. "Yes, my dear. Somehow they seem to spread happiness all around them," Arthur mused. "C'mon, Love. Let's not spy on them any further." Arthur and Molly walked away from the window arm in arm and made their way to the stairs.
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Harry's statement concerning his private life appeared in the next morning's edition of the Daily Prophet, although it didn't appear as a headline. Surprisingly, an editorial apology to Harry and his friends appeared on the front page.
"I love her more than life itself." Those are Harry Potter's exact words about his girlfriend. As a result of published speculation about his love life, Mr Potter announced yesterday in an official statement that his girlfriend is, in fact, Miss Ginevra (Ginny) Weasley. The Daily Prophet wishes to congratulate the couple and apologize for its blatant disregard for their and their friends' privacy. In his statement, Mr Potter expressed a very deep love for Miss Weasley, which leads us to believe that it is safe to say that Mr Potter is 'off the market.'
Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry together for five years. She held the position of Chaser on Mr Potter's winning Quidditch team, playing under the Gryffindor House colours. Mr Potter has been close to the Weasley family for years, as Mr Ronald Weasley is one of Mr Potter's closest friends. Miss Weasley, as previously reported, led Dumbledore's Army alongside Neville Longbottom, another of Mr Potter's close friends, during the last year of the war. As a result, she became the youngest witch in history to receive the Order of Merlin for her bravery. (See next page for Mr Potter's statement in which he also comments on the other girls believed to have been involved in relationships with him.)"
The gossip column shifted its focus to a professional Quidditch player in the top team Montrose Magpies known to be a bachelor. "Poor sod," Harry chuckled.
Kingsley sent them an owl saying that any more speculation about Harry's personal life should be hard to publish now. Anyone violating Harry's publicly-expressed wish with respect to his privacy would be abjectly frowned upon. He also told them that the Ministry had been flooded with owls to themselves and Neville. Kingsley had expected as much, so he had arranged ahead of time for every message from heartbroken witches to good luck greetings addressed to Harry to be delivered to the Ministry, since Harry had no known address in the Wizarding world and he, Kingsley, intended to keep it that way.
Kingsley had also set up similar arrangements for the others, essentially making their official address the Ministry of Magic. Any message to any of the five of them would come there, but for friends and family, there was a list that allowed the owls to deliver their letters and parcels directly to their homes. However, in a day, the Ministry owlery lay in chaos.
Kingsley invited the five of them to meet with him at the Ministry that evening to discuss the action he had taken on their behalf, and to show them the over-crowded owlery. "Look at this. I hope you don't blame me for taking action, but through my power as Minister for Magic, I knew I had the authority to take these steps to spare you this mess." Kingsley told them. None of them had seen so many owls at one time. They looked at one another in disbelief. "They seem to come in faster than we can send them back," Kingsley continued, as he told them how he had made the Ministry of Magic their official address. "I realized what would happen today when I read your statement in the Prophet this morning. I hope you're not angry."
"No, no, not at all. Thank you Kingsley," Harry said. The others nodded earnestly in agreement. "What do you think we should do with all of this?"
"I've assigned a few members of the secretarial pool to sort it all out, but I believe I'll need to bring in more people full-time to keep up with it. I was thinking about hiring teams to sort each type of correspondence, including ones whose express purpose is to screen each letter and parcel for booby traps and other harmful contraband."
"What do you mean by contraband, Minister," Hermione asked, thoroughly intrigued.
"Kingsley, please. Oh, the usual nonsense. Dungbombs, Bubotuber pus, that sort of thing," he replied.
"People are actually doing that through them mail? That's crazy," Ginny said angrily. "Have they nothing better to do," she asked with a slightly raised voice.
"It makes one wonder, Ginny, but mostly, the mail consists of congratulations to you and Harry, thanks yous to all of you for your efforts in bringing down Voldemort and winning the war, love letters to all of you, requests for special appearances at specific events, job offers, commercial endorsements, requests for autographed photos...the list goes on," he said, ticking each item off on his long fingers.
"This is mental," Ron declared. "If this keeps up, the owlery will be nothing but a mountain of letters and owl droppings in less than a week!"
"I hope you understand that I did this in order to maintain your privacy," Kingsley said. "My plan is that a team of secretaries would handle the letters as you instruct them. Basically, they will be your press secretaries, but officially, secretaries of the Ministry owlery. I have a list of former Hogwarts students who have expressed their wish to work for the Ministry. I shall leave it up to you to chose one each to handle your individual mail."
"Kingsley, is it really right to hire five secretaries on the Ministry payroll to handle mail addressed to the five of us," Hermione asked. "I mean, I'm not complaining by any means, but is this really the Ministry's...your...responsibility?"
"There are ways to justify it. Hermione, your address is your parents' home, but since they didn't sell it before moving to Australia, and because it's rented by another Muggle couple, it would take too many Ministry resources to keep the Muggles living there confunded on a permanent basis, not to mention the damage it might do to their minds."
"That makes sense, I guess," Hermione said thoughtfully. "I hadn't thought about that."
"Indeed," Kingsley agreed. "Now, even though Harry lives at the Burrow for the time being, he doesn't really have a permanent address. Grimmauld Place belongs to him, certainly, but it's still protected under the Fidelius charm, so no one knows it even exists, let alone that Harry might live there. Furthermore, we can't have owls flying all over the country, day in and day out, making multiple daily deliveries to Hogwarts, Godric's Hollow, or perhaps even the Burrow. It would raise suspicion in the Muggle world and become a threat to the secrecy of our world."
"But Minister..." Neville started.
"Please, Neville, call me Kingsley," he admonished.
"Okay...erm...Kingsley...What's the harm in receiving a load of mail? I mean, since people think we've done something so wonderful, wouldn't it stand to reason that we'd be likely to receive loads of fan mail," Neville asked.
"One would think so, Neville, but since you, Ron, and Ginny live in Wizarding families, we can claim concern for your health, since we have already found cursed letters addressed to all of you. It's also easier to keep owls flying in and out of the Ministry a secret easier than having them flying all over England looking for the five of you."
"Well...I suppose so, but I'm sure my gran's going to have plenty to say about it," he said shaking his head, snickering quietly to himself.
Kingsley chuckled at Neville's simple, if not astute, observation. "I have no doubt that Augusta Longbottom might be quite vocal about all this fuss we're making over you," he said, eyes twinkling. "Nevertheless, it's our hope that we can get you through all the initial fuss so you can get on with your lives. Now," he said rubbing his hands together, "please carefully look over this list of potential candidates, choose one each to act as your 'press secretary,' and then jot down instructions as to which types of letters you'd each like to receive personally, and which ones you'd rather your secretary should address, along with your wishes as to how he or she should address them."
Kingsley left them to their task in a small conference room, supplied with a bottomless pitcher pumpkin juice, sandwiches and crisps, for which the five friends were grateful. This job could take a while and they would need sustenance. "Good thing he left all this food here, really," said Ron rubbing his growling stomach. "I'm starved!"
"Newsflash! Ronald Weasley is starved," quipped Hermione as she planted a quick kiss on his cheek. "We'll alert the media." The five friends broke into gales of laughter, holding their sides and wiping mirthful tears from their eyes.
"Very witty, Hermione," smiled Ron as he reached for the pitcher to pour himself a glass. "Pumpkin juice, anyone?" How is it that I never noticed how funny she can be before? Oh yeah. I was too busy being a prat.
Ron proceeded to pour juice into glasses for his companions as they all set to work. Following some mild debate, they chose Lee Jordan as head of their press relations team. The Patil twins and two Hufflepuff students Neville vouched for rounded out the group.
Hermione called Kingsley back into the room to let him know they were finished. "I'll draw up some binding magical contracts for them to sign. They'll be similar to the one they signed when they joined Dumbledore's Army. That should keep them honest."
"Fine. I will put them to work as soon as possible," Kingsley told them. "If you're finished here, you're free to go. But I'd like a word with Ron and Hermione. Thank you for your cooperation," he said as he shook each of their hands.
"We'll wait outside." Harry told Ron.
Once the others had left Kingsley turned to Hermione and Ron.
"A team of Aurors confiscated a lot of loot, artefacts and dark objects in the Malfoy Manor yesterday." Kingsley said "And with Mr Ollivander's help we identified these."
Kingsley revealed Ron's and Hermione's wands, the ones they'd lost at Malfoy Manor. Hermione had been using Bellatrix's wand and Ron Wormtail's.
"My wand." Hermione smiled "Bellatrix's wand worked all right but it required a lot more effort."
"Tell me about it. I'll be glad to be rid of Wormtails wand." Ron said.
"Kingsley, are we free to dispose of the other wands as we see fit?" Hermione asked.
"Since their former owners are dead and have no children I'd say so." Kingsley said.
Hermione placed Bellatrix's wand on the table.
"Incendio Maxima." Hermione said with her vine and heartstring wand in her hand.
A flame erupted from Bellatrix's wand and quickly turned it into ashes.
"That felt good." Hermione said.
Ron simply snapped Wormtail's wand and gave the pieces to Kingsley, who followed them out.
"Harry, Ron, take care of these little ladies. They're something special," Kingsley said with a wink. "Goodnight then." He turned to leave."
After telling about the wands they talked about the whole situation with media.
"Blimey. You and Ginny have been headlines, Harry, but I didn't think anyone noticed Hermione and me," said a blushing Ron. He had wrapped his arm tightly around Hermione's waist.
"Not notice you and Hermione," exclaimed Neville. "Everyone's known for ages how mad you are for each other! We all wondered what the bloody hell took you so long!" They were still laughing as they boarded the lifts that would take them to the atrium, where they Apparated to their respective homes.
Upon arrival at the Burrow, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny gave Mr and Mrs Weasley a full report of the evening's events before they all retired for the night. Harry and Ron left Ginny and Hermione at the door to their room with kisses and lingering embraces before they bade each other "Sweet Dreams" and parted.
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The first of many funerals were coming up in the next few days. While no one looked forward to any of them, Harry dreaded them the most. He still couldn't shake the guilt he'd harboured for those lost in the war. He and Ginny had sat down to a game of Wizard's Chess, but he just couldn't concentrate and his chess pieces began bickering among themselves about the best strategy for the game. The faces of those killed flashed through Harry's mind like a slideshow. The photo of his parents' wedding day. Sirius. Moody. Hedwig. Dobby. Remus. Tonks. Fred. Colin. Over and over it played.
Ginny knew something was wrong. Harry's mind was definitely not on the game. His erratic moves garnered him the wrath of the men on the board to the point that they wouldn't obey him at all anymore and the chess pieces engaged in a brawl. His eyes, usually a sparkling emerald green, had gone dark and his brow furrowed a little. "Harry, Love, what is it? Is it the funerals," she asked.
"Yeah, I suppose so," he replied sadly. "I mean, you've all told me time and again that it's not my fault, but I just can't help but think there was something I could have done differently that would have saved them from..." Harry cut himself off. He really didn't want to go there again.
Ginny took him by the hand and pulled him to a standing position. "Let's take a walk out to our spot by the pond," she said. "The fresh air will do you good and we can talk there. Okay," she prodded as she sought his downcast eyes.
"Yeah, okay. Couldn't hurt, I guess," he said, allowing her to lead him towards the door.
"Ron, if anyone asks, we're out taking a walk. We'll be back in a bit," Ginny called as they headed out the door. He looked up from the parchment on the table in front of him and nodded.
The day after Harry and Ginny had made their relationship public, Ron and Hermione thought it might be a good idea to release a statement of their own, at least for Hermione's sake. They wrote a short statement and sent it to Lee Jordan at the Ministry for release the next day. They both wanted their relationship to be official for the funerals, as they needed each other so desperately, but they also wanted to ensure that Hermione's honour would never be publicly called into question again.
"Do you think it's good enough, 'Mione," Ron asked placing a palm against her smooth face. As she leaned into it, he continued. "I mean, I don't want any of those vultures reading more into this than what's actually there. I don't want to have to break any journalistic bones..."
"Ron, it's fine," she assured him as she turned her face to kiss his palm. "If the vultures can glean anything sinister out of that, feel free to break all the bones your heart desires and I'll be there to cheer you on. I'm sure Harry would love to sell tickets," she said with a toothy grin.
"You've been hanging around George too, long, Love," Ron laughed. "Merlin, how I love you, Hermione. You've bewitched me."
"I love you too, you big loveable lug." Hermione threw her arms around his neck and initiated a fine snog right there at the kitchen table.
"Shall we retire to the upper regions, Love," Ron asked her as he waggled his eyebrows.
"Lead on," she said in a low voice.
"Lead on, nothing," he said as he scooped her up and carried her to his room giggling, and closed the door.
Lee proved to be the perfect man to handle their public relations nightmares. He had already started to organize the large bags of letters, asked for official answers to frequently asked questions, and for specific guidelines as to how to handle various offers and which letters to send on to the five of them.
We, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, wish to announce to the Wizarding community that we are in a serious relationship. We do this in order to avoid any speculation and wish that our privacy be respected.
To contact either of us, Harry, Ginny, or Neville Longbottom, please send an owl to Lee Jordan's office at the Ministry of Magic. He handles all of our public relations.
Ronald B. Weasley, OMFC
Hermione J. Granger, OMFC
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Hand in hand, Harry and Ginny walked toward the pond without speaking. They stood and gazed out at the water for a few minutes until Harry sat down against a tree and pulled Ginny down with him. She settled into his lap and laid her head on his chest, taking comfort in the steady beating of his heart. "I know you're hurting, Harry, but please know I'm here for you. We can talk or not talk, but I'm here," she assured him as she traced circles on his chest.
"Gin, I wish I could shake this infernal guilt. It's driving me mad," he said in frustration.
"Well, perhaps I can help you with that," she said with a wicked smile playing at the edges of her mouth.
Cottoning on to her meaning, he decided to play along. "Oh, and how's that," he asked with eyebrows raised.
"Like this," she said softly as she gently pushed him back onto the lush green grass, climbed aboard, and captured his lips with her own. She ran her hands through his messy raven locks as he returned her kiss.
"Merlin, Gin," Harry moaned as her lips travelled along his jawbone to the pulse point at his collarbone. "You know just the right thing to say or do to bring me out of a right funk, did you know that?" He rolled her over onto her back and leaned over her on his elbow. He lowered his head and placed tiny kisses down her neck and across her shoulder.
That feels wonderful. "Mmmm, I try," she purred as she pulled his mouth back to hers for another mind-blowing kiss. She slid her hands up Harry's shirt to run them over his bare back. He moaned again and ran his tongue along her bottom lip. Her lips parted and their tongues danced together in a fury. Hot flames shot through both of their bodies as the kiss intensified.
Harry couldn't get enough of her. He lost himself in the scent of her hair, her touch, her kiss—everything about her captured his imagination. He'd promised this beautiful creature he now held in his arms that he would never leave her again and he vowed to himself that he'd never would. He felt his own hands travel under the hem of her blouse to run across the silkiness of her back.
"Oh Harry," Ginny cried, as she arched in to him. "I love you so much," she whispered into his mouth.
"I love you, too, Gin. I can't begin to tell you how much," he murmured into her ear. Their snogging session began to progress to another level as Harry's hand stole its way across a breast. Ginny moaned deeply and arched again. Harry could feel an awakening that got more and more difficult to control with each passing moment. Suddenly Harry rolled off her and sat up. "Ginny, we have to stop," he said running his hands through his hair.
"Why," she asked, slightly annoyed. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong, Gin. What could possibly be wrong? You...this—it's fantastic!"
"So what's the problem," she asked as she reached for him again.
"It's just that...well...I...we...if we'd gone on much further and longer, I wouldn't be able to stop and well...I just don't think either of us is ready for that yet," he said, as he took her hand and helped her to sit up. "What we have is so precious to me, so unbelievably right and good, that I don't want anything screwing that up. Can we just slow it down, if only a bit?"
"Didn't you like it," she asked as her bottom lip began to tremble.
"Of course I liked it," he assured her as he placed a palm against her cheek. "I loved it. I love you. You...you're amazing! I can't say it enough," he said as he drew her into a warm embrace. "I just have too much respect for you to rush you into something that would be wonderful in the moment, but that we'd regret later on. Ginny...baby...we're just not ready for that. We've only been back together for a few days. We both need time," Harry told her as he held her close.
"You're right, Harry. Perhaps we do need a bit more time. We still have so much we need to talk about, and we've got all these funerals to get through, especially Fred's..." Her voice began to break. "I know you respect me, Harry, and I know you'd never do anything to hurt me."
Harry raised both of her hands to his lips and lightly brushed across them. "You're everything to me, Gin. I wouldn't want to live if I lost you," he said gazing into her brown eyes, watching the flecks of gold dance in the waning light. "Are we okay," he asked tentatively.
"Harry, my love, you'll never lose me. I'm yours for as long as you'll have me," she said as she returned his gaze. Those eyes. Those gorgeous green eyes. "And of course we're okay, Harry. But maybe we'd better head inside before Mum sends a search party after us."
They both laughed as they pulled themselves up off the ground and turned back toward the house. Halfway there, they stopped for one last deep kiss before they went inside. "That was nice," Harry said as he gave her a final squeeze."We'll have to do that again sometime, yeah?"
"Oh yeah. We'll just have to try and remember to tone it down a bit though," she replied with a smirk as they stepped to the door.
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The next couple of weeks were difficult what with all the funerals and memorials they'd been invited to, but it was necessary that they obliged. Harry attended many of the funerals and memorials for those who died in the battle. The hardest ones to endure were Remus' and Tonks' and now...Fred's.
Fred would be laid to rest at the Burrow. The night before, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Percy and George returned. The entire Weasley assemblage, including Harry and Hermione, once again gathered around the scrubbed kitchen table to talk about the publicity.
"I think we must accept the fact that we are perhaps the most famous family in Wizarding Britain," Bill claimed, "especially after announcements that Harry and Hermione are now a part of it."
"I agree." Charlie gave his brother full support. "Even as far away as Romania, I get loads of questions from my friends there. Of course, Harry is the one they ask about mostly, but they ask a lot about Ron and Hermione too, you know? It's all about the Golden Trio or the Merlin Teens, and every other collective title they can come up with for the three of you. There's a big interest in Harry and Ginny as a couple, too."
Harry sighed resignedly. Has this insanity no bounds?
"I've been working to re-open the shop in Diagon Alley," George said "Everything you said is true Charlie, but Mum and Dad, you're celebrities too. Did you know that? Mum defeated Bellatrix Lestrange and both of you are members of the Order of the Phoenix."
"Fleur is recognized in the press since her participation in the Triwizard Tournament, George has made himself a name through the joke shop, and Percy has been seen around the Ministry," Charlie explained. "I guess I'm the least famous in the family." Thank Merlin.
"Well then, we need to make some adjustments to our collective public image. We can't keep rogue reporters like Rita Skeeter from publishing their rubbish, but we can stick together," Arthur said. "We'll always check with each other before reacting to anything they write about us, so as not to give people like Rita Skeeter anything to feed upon."
Ginny blushed, which got her father's attention. "Ginny?"
"Well, it's just that Ron talked about sending that last git of a reporter a dungbomb. And... well... I took it further than talking. I sent one," she admitted as she wrapped her arms around Harry's arm. "No one writes those kinds of things about Harry and goes unpunished. So much for behaving," she said with an embarrassed sigh.
Everyone remained silent for a second before George broke into laughter. "Brilliant Ginny! That's my sister!"
After a while, everyone managed to pull themselves together. Arthur looked around the table at his family. "I did hear a rumour that the Daily Prophet received dozens of dungbombs after publishing that article. I guess we're not the only ones who found it offensive." Ginny breathed a great sigh of relief at that news.
"Lee and his team have worked our public relations organisation into a well-oiled machine. They go through the owls and send us a pack of letters he thinks we might be interested in reading, according to our guidelines," Harry said.
"Yeah, he's doing a great job. I hope we all can agree to let any official statement be sent through him," said Ron. They all nodded.
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The Weasleys chose to keep Fred's burial private, inviting only family and close friends, among them Harry and Hermione, who were already practically family, Lee Jordan, the old Gryffindor Quidditch Team, Verity from the joke shop and of course, Aunt Muriel. George took his twin's death hard and still couldn't quite accept that he was gone, but he did his level best to keep his spirits up as he delivered a short speech before they lowered Fred's coffin into the grave.
"Fred and I were always considered pranksters and troublemakers. Those who knew Fred knew that to be true, but more than that, those who really knew Fred knew he was loyal friend, always doing whatever he could to raise his friends' spirits when they were feeling down. After Voldemort's return, we talked one time about the possibility that one or both of us might be killed. We actually told each other what we wanted the other to say at our funerals. These are Fred's own words:
'Okay Weasleys. I hope you are crying today, otherwise I will have to become a ghost and haunt each one of you for the rest of your days. I'll check back in a week or so, but if you're still crying then, though, I'll come back and haunt you for that. It's all right to cry at my funeral, but afterwards, you make sure to LIVE. I'm hoping I died fighting so that the rest of you could go on, so don't disappoint me.'
That's Fred, but you get the message: Mourn today, live tomorrow."
Though thoroughly devastated Arthur and Molly, found that they felt a little better after hearing the words of their dead son through his surviving twin. The family gathered around them in a small circle, with Charlie and Percy supporting a severely trembling George between them, Bill and Fleur holding each other closely as Fleur cried softly into his shoulder. Ron and Hermione stood together, sobbing, clutched tightly in each other's arms, as did Harry and Ginny next to them. Arthur placed his arm around Molly's shoulders and held her close as he began to speak.
No parent should ever have to bury their child," he said. "It isn't natural and it isn't right. However, we've been forced to do that here today. There is no magic to banish grief; only time can do that." Arthur paused to give his family a chance to recover a bit and then he continued.
"While I mourn Fred's passing, I look around and find the rest of my family around me, safe and whole. I won't dwell on Fred's death because I have all of you to live for and make memories with." A small sob escaped the Weasley Patriarch's lips. A few deep breaths later, he spoke again as his family wiped moist eyes and listened.
"I told Harry back at Hogwarts that without him, Ginny, myself, Ron and maybe Bill might have been lost, too. That doesn't mean I take Fred's loss lightly. No, not at all. It only means there is still so much to live for, and I must agree with George. Fred would like us to live, for when we do choose to live, Fred lives on, too, in each and every one of us." While Arthur's words did little to assuage the grief, they did offer the necessary closure so that life could go on for the Weasleys.
As per usual, Molly had prepared a feast. Keeping busy had kept her going during those very difficult days before the burial. George's speech sank right into the hearts of all of them. Fred would have wanted them to live good lives and have a little—no, a lot—of fun along the way. The magnificent feast lifted everyone's spirits, and halfway through, it felt like a family reunion as they celebrated Fred's life and legacy.
Great-aunt Muriel caught Harry and Ginny holding hands by themselves, just about to engage in a long-overdue kiss."So you're that Potter boy they write so much about, are you? And you're marrying our Ginevra, is that right," Aunt Muriel asked in an inquisitorial tone.
Harry blushed. "One day, hopefully," Harry replied, trying to sound as respectful as he could. He'd been forewarned about Aunt Muriel by both Ginny and Ron.
"She's a bloody nightmare," Ron told him. "She's always bossing people around, telling them what to do. Everyone's afraid of her."
"Oh please, Ron," Ginny retorted. "She's just a dotty old bat looking for attention," she laughed.
"Yeah, well, don't get in wrong with her," Ron warned. "She's always threatening to disinherit this one or that one over something really stupid. Besides, Ginny, it's easy for you to talk. You're her favourite," he said with a smirk.
"Yeah, right. Anyway, you two," she said pointing at Harry and Hermione, "don't let her get under your skin. She's harmless, really."
Ron snorted in disgust and they all fell over themselves laughing as Ron and Ginny told more stories about Crazy Aunt Muriel.
"Rubbish, Potter," she said. "At my age you see things. I expect an invitation to your wedding, of course."
Harry opened his mouth as if to answer her, but thought better of it and closed it again.
"Aunt Muriel" Ginny said, as blushed as Harry. "Wouldn't it be best if Harry actually proposed to me before we talk about a wedding? And I'm not even of age yet..."
"Poppycock, Ginevra. Tell him to get on with it. I'm not getting any younger."
Aunt Muriel looked sternly at Harry as if she expected him to propose right there. Harry chuckled. He simply couldn't help himself.
Arthur had heard it all and came to their rescue. "Dearest aunt," he said. "I know that Ronald has some news he wishes to tell you in person."
"Oh really? I see him over there with that Granger girl. Yes, I suppose I'd better get over there."
Aunt Muriel left them and headed for Ron and Hermione and Ginny mouthed a 'thank you' to her dad. As soon as aunt Muriel had waddled away to corner Ron and Hermione, Arthur looked back at them. "Well, what are you waiting for? We can't miss this," Arthur said. Ginny gave him an odd look. "Oh, I'll rescue Ron too, after a while...but don't tell Molly."
Harry and Ginny nodded enthusiastically and hurried after Arthur to watch the show. They drew closer to Ron and Hermione so they could hear what Aunt Muriel might say that would most assuredly embarrass them. "Ronald, I hear you have some news. Some mischief I presume," Aunt Muriel said looking inquisitorially at him and Hermione.
Ron immediately blushed and looked at Hermione, his blue eyes begging her for help.
"Yes, Ronald, please tell Aunt Muriel our news," Hermione grinned, clearly enjoying putting her man on the spot. Turnabout is fair play isn't it, my love?
"Aunt Muriel. May I introduce..." Ron said and put his arm around Hermione.
"... yes, yes I know. She's that Granger girl the new Minister declared a genius."
"Yes, and this Granger girl is in fact my girl. We wrote a statement for the Prophet just the other day," Ron said confidently, surprising even himself.
"Well, the Prophet is full of lies. But she's your girl, you say? And they said she was smart. Did you knock her up, Ronald," she asked pointedly, turning to Hermione, who face filled with horror. "Oh, no offence, dear. It's only an old witch's bad joke. You seem to be a nice young lady. You know," she said, pulling Hermione closer, "I just learned that Ginevra will marry that Potter boy. Now, Ronald is a sweet boy for a Weasley, but be warned. The Weasleys breed like rabbits, so you'd better learn those special charms for women. Shouldn't be a problem if you are only half as smart as the Minister says, but when was the last time the Ministry was right about anything?"
Hermione giggled as Aunt Muriel gave Hermione's arm a maternal pat as she wandered off looking for someone else to embarrass. Ron's face was so red, his hair seemed almost blond. While he spluttered and coughed, Hermione stood there and laughed in silence, her body shaking as she worked to hold it all in.
Arthur looked at Ginny and Harry, who were both in tears for laughing so hard. Aunt Muriel seemed completely oblivious to the fact that they were laughing at her diatribe. "I guess I should have gone to the rescue a bit sooner, but then we would have missed all the fun." Arthur was nearly howling with laughter and he walked off in search of Molly.
Harry snickered at his retreating back. "Your dad, sending her on Ron like that...he really enjoyed that, didn't he?"
"Where do you think Fred and George got it all," Ginny smiled impishly.
"You know, Ginny, she may be dotty, but she's certainly...entertaining," Harry laughed.
"Oh yes. And if you still want me now that you've had the Aunt Muriel Experience, I'm yours forever."
"I want you forever and longer. You own me, heart and soul. My Ginny," Harry whispered, as he leaned in for the kiss that had been previously interrupted.
"My Harry, my only love. The feeling's mutual...forever," she breathed into his lips as they pressed against hers. They lingered in the kiss for as long as they could before they had to come up for air. They broke apart, realizing that people had begun to stare. Ginny took Harry's hand with a giggle. "Come on, Ron appears to have regained his normal colour."
They joined Ron and Hermione. "So Ron, surviving Aunt Muriel, is that some kind of NEWT for becoming a true part of the Weasley family," Harry asked with a chuckle.
"Actually she's a Prewett, but something like a NEWT, I guess. Except for me, I was born into it."
"Well I'm apparently pregnant and the two of you are getting married. She's certainly got it all worked out, hasn't she," Hermione grinned.
"She sure thinks she does. Hey, I noticed George spent a lot of time with Katie Bell today," Ginny reported.
"That's a good sign," Ron said. "He's taking Fred's advice and moving on."
The sun began to sink low over the horizon as the party broke up and the guests took their leave. Once they finally bid farewell to the last of the visitors, the Weasley assemblage cleared away and then sat down to the scrubbed table for a last cuppa before bed. Having herded the youngsters up the stairs to their rooms, Arthur and Molly retired to their own bed. "It's been a long day, Molly dear, but we got through it."
"It has, and I'm glad it over," she replied.
"I love you, Mollywobbles," Arthur said as he kissed her forehead and slid an arm under her pillow.
"I love you too, Arty. Sleep well, dear," she said as she snuggled into the crook of his arm and drifted off to sleep.
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Over the next several days, Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione really began to take note of the celebrity status they had risen to in the Wizarding World. There were almost daily reports in the Daily Prophet about their involvement in fall of Lord Voldemort and its aftermath. There were regular reports regarding the drastic changes taking place at the Ministry under Kingsley Shacklebolt and the trials of numerous Death Eaters already in custody. There were photos of Death Eaters still at large, punctuated with copies of their respective arrest warrants. A schedule of funerals for the prominent dead appeared on the Obituary page, include those of Fred and Remus and Tonks.
The four of them tried to live as normally as possible. Hermione had improved the protective charms around the Burrow that Bill had cast to afford them and the Weasleys a little peace and quiet. One of these days offered a surprise. The inhabitants of the Burrow were gathered for breakfast when there was someone knocking on the door. Molly got up to open and soon returned with Luna, who held something furry and orange in her arms. Hermione looked up and gasped.
"Crookshanks!"
"No, my name is still Luna." she blond witch replied.
Hermione had left her familiar at the Burrow when she, Ron and Harry began the Horcrux hunt, by escaping from the Burrow during Bill's and Fleur's wedding. Hermione got up and approached Luna and the part-Kneazle cat.
"Where did you find him Luna?" Hermione asked and to her delight Crookshanks started purring when she patted his head.
"Oh no, it was Crookshanks who found me." Luna told them sincerely "I must've left home in my sleep and found myself in the forest. Before I had to figure out how to get home he came and led me here. I recognized him of course and thought I'd return him to you."
Luna stretched out her arms and Crookshanks, still purring, accepted being transferred to Hermione's waiting arms.
"You look absolutely dreadful, your fur's a mess," Hermione chided her familiar "Have you lived all by yourself in the forest?"
"We never saw him after Bill's and Fleur's wedding." Arthur enlightened them "I'd say it's likely he's been on his own in the forest all year."
Hermione lay Crookshanks in Ron's lap, who reluctantly accepted him since he'd never been particularly fond of the creature, and she turned to Luna again.
"Thank you Luna." Hermione said and hugged her.
"For what? It is I who thank Crookshanks." Luna replied. "Thanks to him I'm not lost in the forest. I know the way home from here."
"Because you wouldn't be able to apparate back home." Ron commented ironically.
"Apparation attracts wrackspurts Ron, didn't you know?" Luna informed him "I try to avoid apparating."
Ron didn't really know what to say about that, and Molly came to the rescue.
"Would you like a cup of tea before you return home Luna?" she asked.
"No thank you Mrs Weasley. I should return home. Daddy an I have a lot of repairs to do on our house." Luna said and gave her friends a smile "Bye, bye."
Without waiting for a reply she left and Ron was gratified to return Crookshanks to Hermione.
The lack of speculative journalism that had plagued Harry for the past three years had seemed to disappear. Whether that happy circumstance could be attributed to Lee's fine work at the Ministry or the media's actual compliance with his wishes, Harry couldn't be certain. What he could be certain of, though, was that he appreciated it. There were a few incidents at funerals or memorials where a few inconsiderate members of the press plied them with questions, some of them personal, which they all declined to answer, directing them to submit their inquiries to Mr Lee Jordan at the Ministry.
On several occasions, Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione would meet up with Neville, who suffered the same kind of journalistic frustration. Rumours had begun to float around, in and out of the press, that he had been often seen with Hannah Abbott. At one particular reception, Ron and Harry managed to corner him.
"Hey, Neville," Ron said as Harry cast the Muffliato charm. "What is it we read about you and Hannah? I thought you and Luna had something going."
Neville blushed and tried to hide a smile.
"So it's true then," Harry asked.
"Hannah and me...we're dating, yeah," he said happily. "Luna and I are very good friends. I had a thing for her for a while, but then I met Hannah, well, we've known each other for years of course. You get it, right," he explained.
"Congrats Neville, but where is she," Ron wondered.
"Well, I haven't told my gran yet, so it's not really official. You know the old drill," Neville replied.
Dawn broke over Harry's horizon. So that's what that family meeting was about last week...
"You'd better, and soon. Hannah's a nice girl and I think your gran will be proud of you," Ron teased.
Neville leaned over toward Ron's ear. "Ron, I need to talk to Harry in private. Do you mind," he asked Ron bashfully.
"Not at all, mate. See you in a few," Ron said and strode over behind Hermione and wrapped his long arms around her middle.
Harry looked questioningly at Neville. "So what can I do for you, Nev?"
"About Hannah...Gran knows. It's just that I want her to meet my parents before it's officially official. Is that weird? I mean, you've seen them. They don't even know I'm their son."
Harry thought for a moment. "I don't think it's weird, Neville. Look, I've never told anyone this, but ever since I got back together with Ginny, I've wanted to take her to my parent's graves in Godric's Hollow."
"You and Ginny are meant to be together, Harry. It's obvious even to me. I sure won't tell anyone," Neville promised.
"Thanks, mate. Listen, Neville. If Hannah loves you, and I'm sure she does, she'll understand. Just trust enough to tell her what happened to them so she's prepared when you take her to visit them. I'm sure she'll be grateful that you thought enough of her to put that much faith in her," Harry advised.
"Thanks, Harry. I knew you'd be able to help." Neville offered his hand and the two friends shared a firm handshake.
"Good luck, old man," Harry called as Neville walked away. I have got to remember to thank him for looking after Ginny last year at Hogwarts.
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A couple of days later, Harry decided it was high time he paid a visit to Andromeda Tonks and his Godson, Teddy. "Do you want to come," Harry asked Ginny.
"Yes, of course."
"We're off, then." Harry Apparated them to Andromeda's house. She held a blanketed bundle containing baby Teddy in her arms as she ushered them in.
"Welcome, both of you," Andromeda said with a warm grin. She invited them for tea in the garden.
"Would you like to hold him," Andromeda asked Harry.
"Yes, please," Harry replied happily, receiving the baby carefully. "Hey, little mate. I'm your Godfather, Harry," he whispered to the child as he tickled his little chin with a crooked finger. "Your mum and dad were really good friends of mine and you and I are going to have loads of fun together. I'm going to tell you all about them and how much they loved you. I promise you'll never want for anything and you'll never be alone. Your gran and Ginny and I are always going to be here for you," Harry murmured has the little boy wrapped his tiny fingers around Harry's thumb.
He gazed in wonder into the tiny face of his godson. He blinked back tears burning in his eyes as he thought about his own Godfather, Sirius Black. He thought about Remus and Tonks and how thrilled they were to have this little bundle of joy. He thought about how he and Remus had rowed at Grimmauld place when Harry lambasted him for contemplating abandoning his wife and unborn baby because of Voldemort. Nice one, Potter. You shouted at Remus Lupin for doing the very thing you'd done to Ginny, only in your case, there was no baby involved.
He'd never forget that night at Shell Cottage, not too long after the escape from Malfoy Manor, when Remus Lupin arrived in a flurry of excitement announcing that Teddy had been born and asking Harry to be his new son's Godfather.
Ginny, who had been carrying on a conversation with Andromeda about the many plants and flowers that graced the garden, looked over at them and smiled. She felt a strong surge of joy as Harry looked up at her with a smile as big as all outdoors.
"You look so cute," Ginny said as Teddy changed his hair to match Harry's. "Oh! Look at that! He looks just like you, Harry," she cried.
"Dora did that a lot too when she was a baby. He likes you, Harry," Andromeda sighed. "She loved imitating anyone who held her. Teddy seems to enjoy it as well."
"Andromeda, I don't know what you think, but I want you to know that as Teddy's Godfather I want to be a part of his life," Harry said.
"Of course. When you contacted me, I had already thought of writing to you. As Godfather, you have sole responsibility for Teddy. Technically, you are his legal guardian now that Dora and Remus..." Andromeda's voice trailed off as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"Andromeda, is it your wish that Teddy should live here with you...at least until he's older?"
"I would like that. I'm alone now. Well, my sister Narcissa Malfoy is alive, but we're not exactly close. Caring for Teddy means a lot to me. He makes me want to press on with life," she admitted.
"In all honesty, I don't really have a home for him and I don't know about my future as yet. I haven't made any real plans, so I think he's better off here with you," Harry smiled, "but I hope we're welcome to visit."
"Of course, Harry. Any time."
Harry gazed back at Teddy and bounced him lightly in his arms. "I also lost my parents when I was very young. I can't replace Dora or Remus, but I will do my best to be a good Godfather. In the future when I..." Harry looked at Ginny. "... hopefully when we, have a home, Teddy will be welcome there and treated as our own son. Isn't that right, little buddy?"
They spent the entire afternoon with Teddy, and as they returned home, both Harry and Ginny thought about having a family of their own one day.
