Chapter 3 - Heritage

"Ginny. Gin?" A warm hand caressed her shoulder and a kind voice invaded the mists of her dream. "Hey, Gin. Wake up. It's past ten. We're going to Diagon Alley today, remember?" A sweet sensation spread from her shoulder to her neck and she began to stir.

"Wha...sleeping," she mumbled.

"Gin, c'mon, love. We have lots to do," the voice said urgently. The warm touch became insistent as it rolled her onto her back. "C'mon, sleepyhead." Her eyelids fluttered and opened ever so slowly and blinked, adjusting to the light. "Ah, there she is. The most beautiful woman I've ever seen," said the kind voice. "I think I'm in love."

"Harry? Harry," she yawned sleepily as the warm hands caressed a freckled cheek. "Ah, yes. The handsomest man I've ever seen," she smiled, stretching. "I am in love." Handsomest. Is that even a word?

Harry leaned down and kissed her gently. "Your mum's got breakfast ready," he whispered into her neck, "and then we're off."

Ginny rose from the bed and threw her arms over her head, stretching and groaning. She opened her dresser to retrieve fresh clothes, then made for the loo for a shower before heading down the stairs for a quick bite and...Harry.

"We're off, then." Harry took her hand and led her toward the door.

"Don't be long, now. And Harry, don't let those Gringotts Goblins push you around," Molly called.

"I won't, Mrs Weasley. Bill gave me a few pieces of advice on handling goblins before we broke into Gringotts. We won't be long," Harry assured her. I hope."C'mon, Gin. We're running late," he said, glancing at the clock.

They hurried to the edge of the yard past the new protective wards that Bill, Charlie, and Mr Weasley had raised around the Burrow. Harry took Ginny into his arms, held her close, turned down, and...pop! They Disapparated.

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The first thing Harry noticed upon arrival in Diagon Alley was that it looked so much brighter than it had only days before. Shops had reopened, some of them new to Diagon Alley, and laughter filled the air as people greeted one another with hugs and handshakes as they became reacquainted. The pall that hung over the place had evaporated and the excitement Harry had so associated with the wonder of Diagon Alley had returned once again.

Harry and Ginny hadn't given it much thought, but today was the first time they'd ventured out in public since the battle, with the exception of a few funerals and memorials. By now, Harry was used to being stared at, but he tended to shy away from hero worship. He was uncomfortable with the comments about his being the Saviour-of-the-Wizarding-World. This was all uncharted territory for Ginny, so he twined his fingers with hers, almost painfully, to keep her close. They politely returned simple greetings and acknowledged praise for having destroyed the Dark Lord.

By the time they arrived at the steps of Gringotts Wizarding Bank, quite a crowd of well-wishers had gathered around them. Ginny seemed to be taking it all in stride, but Harry became increasingly nervous. He felt gratified that any trace of the destruction left by their exodus on the dragon's back had been cleared away and repairs made to the building and the street outside. Harry excused them through the crowd to the great doors.

"Well, here we are," he sighed, trying to work up his nerve.

"Yes. Here we are. Are you ready for this," she asked with a determined look in her eyes.

"I guess there's just nothing for it. Let's go," he said resignedly and pulled the door open.

Unlike the people in Diagon Alley, the Goblins at Gringotts were less than pleased to see Harry. He intended to go to his vault but realized he needed to make peace with the Goblins, first. He asked for a supervisor, who appeared almost instantly and led them to a side office.

"I'll just wait here, shall I," Ginny whispered to Harry as she made to break his grip on her hand.

"No. Please. Come in with me. This concerns you as much as it concerns me," he said, pulling her back to his side.

"But Harry—" she stammered as she look at the emotionless face of the Goblin.

"Please stay with me," he insisted.

Ginny searched the Goblin's face for any sign of protest. Seeing none, she agreed. The Goblin ushered them into the office and bade them sit. I just can't resist those eyes of his.

"You are not welcome here," the Goblin said, perching himself on a high chair behind a desk.

Refusing to be intimidated, Harry drew himself up confidently and looked straight at the Goblin. "Let me ask you something. What would the Wizarding world think if I closed my account here and gave a statement about it to every Wizarding publication in the country?"

The Goblin peered suspiciously at Harry. "I'm listening, Mr Potter..."

"I have no wish to use my fame to harm Gringotts' reputation, but I'm sure we can agree that I would be able to."

"True..."

"Can we agree, then, that it is in our mutual interest that I remain a customer at Gringotts?"

"We can." the goblin said "However you did embarrass Gringotts by breaking in here, managing to escape and you also cost us a dragon."

Harry thought about the situation for a few moments.

"I'd say it's in out mutual interest to negotiate a solution." Harry said.

The Goblin considered his answer for a moment. "It is. Allow me, on behalf of Gringotts, to apologise for the behaviour of our staff when you came in, Mr Potter. Are you here for your vaults?"

"Vaults," Harry asked, a bit puzzled. "I know of only one that's mine."

"I see. Well, Mr Potter, the vault you have had access to thus far contains that which your parents left for you to use for school and other needs prior to your coming of age. Now that you are of age, you have access to the Potter vault. In addition to a considerable amount of gold, it contains heirloom jewellery, real estate deeds, including the one in Godric's Hollow, and several books."
There's loads of gold in that vault and now they tell me that there's an additional Potter vault that's mine, too? Harry looked over at Ginny, who only blinked back at him.

"And coming of age also gives you access to the Black family vault, according to the will of Sirius Black."

"There are a few documents that you must sign to take possession of the vaults and another one that affirms that you have received any and all information concerning them. Then, if you wish, I shall take you to visit them," the Goblin said in a very business-like manner.

Harry read through and signed the necessary parchments. He and Ginny rose to board a rail car that would take them on a wild ride through the labyrinth of tunnels leading to his vaults.

"I have no idea what's in those vaults," Harry told Ginny. "I'll be just as surprised as you, won't I," he smiled.

The rail car clattered and careened along the rickety track that led to the vaults below Gringotts. It finally slowed as it approached Harry's personal vault and stopped directly in front of it.

"All of this is yours," Ginny asked with a tremor in her voice.

" I guess my parents wanted to make sure I would afford school even if costs went up."

"Even after Dad's promotion, this is a lot more than our entire family has," she confessed.

Harry's stomach flipped over. She's shaking like a leaf. This has got to be quite a shock for her. He knew how tough life was for the Weasleys, financially speaking, and he always felt bad about it. Through the years, he'd often thought how he'd gladly share every last Knut with them, knowing they'd never take it. "Actually, I'd rather think of it as ours," Harry whispered, gazing into her eyes.

"Harry...I couldn't," she protested weakly.

"Ginny, I love you. This...this means nothing without someone to share it with, and for me, that someone is you, Gin. Please let me share this with you, because you are all I'll ever need." He drew her into a tight embrace and held her, caressing her back until her trembling quieted.

"Harry this is all just so..."

"I know. C'mon! Let's have a look, shall we?" He bit his lower lip and nodded encouragement. Ginny returned his nod, took his hand and they entered the vault.

Harry stuffed a couple of handfuls of Galleons into a pouch and tucked it away in his robes. Then he looked around for what he had actually come for, something he had spied during a previous visit but never touched. His eyes rested on a tiny box sitting in a far corner. There it is! Someone must have placed it there early on after his parents' death to make sure Harry could find it.

Making sure Ginny was completely distracted, he opened a small black-velvet-covered box, revealing his mother's engagement ring—a square-cut emerald set in fine gold. His father must have wanted a stone that matched his mother's eyes. Harry smiled to himself, placed the ring back into the box, and slipped it into his pocket.

As soon as they stepped back onto the step, the Goblin sealed the vault. They all climbed back into the car and rattled off to the Potter family vault. The Goblin ran his hand over the door to open the door. Harry made sure Ginny could enter it with him before he took her hand to pull her inside. "I'm not sure I could get through this without you," Harry said.

"I'm here, Harry, right by your side, the only place I ever want to be."

This vault was huge. Inside, they found yet more gold, but also other valuables and family heirlooms.

"Blimey," was all Harry could say. "What am I going to do with all of this? There's gold enough here for three or four lifetimes!"

"Harry, did you have any idea your family was this wealthy," she asked him, awestruck.

"Not a clue, Gin. Seriously, I didn't even know about my personal vault until Hagrid brought me here before first year, so learning about this one comes as a complete surprise to me," he confessed looking around. All at once, something caught his eye. A small book lay on top of a wooden box all by itself. He released Ginny, walked over to it, and picked it up. He felt an overpowering compulsion to open it. Lily Evans' Diary. He fanned the pages until a letter fell out.

Apparently, the diary had been his mother's from her seventh year at Hogwarts, and it contained entries dating from then until her death about four years later. The envelope said, To Harry. He tucked the letter back into the diary and shoved it into his robes with the ring. He took Ginny's hand and they left the vault to return to the rail car that would take them to their last destination.

At last, they arrived at the Black family vault. This one dwarfed the other two, both in size and in wealth. There was a vast collection of books that would drop Hermione firmly on Cloud Nine, jewels, rare paintings, and piles upon gargantuan piles of Galleons. This was entirely too much for them. Harry couldn't breathe and Ginny began to shake again. Rather than have a medical emergency right there under Gringotts, Harry exited the vault and took a couple of deep breaths. He helped Ginny back into the cart and then looked at the grinning Goblin.

"Is there a summary of what I own?"

The Goblin gave him a parchment. Harry and Ginny read it. Harry blushed when as the document revealed that his fortune in Galleons totalled approximately 20 million, with perhaps another 10 million in property and estates. "You do own the vaults of two old Wizarding families, Mr Potter. Don't look so surprised," the Goblin told him.

Harry looked at Ginny. "I didn't know. I swear I didn't," Harry said and blushed.

"Harry, don't be embarrassed. You haven't done anything wrong," she assured him as she took his hand and stroked it.

"It's just that I didn't earn this. It was just given to me."

"I think I want to go back home and go through all of this with Bill some day. Just seeing it is enough for now. I need time to take it all in and process it," Harry said.

"I think that's a very good idea, love. Bill can help you sort it all out," she agreed.

Harry took a few deep breaths and turned to the Goblin. "I wish the gold in my old vault to be transferred to my godson, Teddy Lupin. Until he is of age it is to be governed by me, Ginny, and Andromeda Tonks." He looked at Ginny. "Unless you don't want to."

"That would be very kind, Harry."

"Teddy has lost his parents. The least I can do with all of this... " Harry said pointing at the parchment with the summary of his fortune. "... is make sure there are Galleons enough to raise him. I promised Andromeda that I intend to keep that promise. I'd also like to compensate Gringotts for the damage I did when I broke into the Lestrange vault."

"Very well Mr Potter. The repairs cost roughly 300 000 Galleons and there's also the matter of replacing the dragon."

"Of course I'll pay for the repairs, and I think Charlie Weasley can help us procure a new dragon." Harry said.

The Goblin nodded and assured Harry that the proper documents would be prepared and sent by owl for his signature within the next few business days. I'll definitely need Bill for this one.

With Harry's financial affairs set in order, he and Ginny left the building and stepped out into the afternoon sun. The crowd that had followed them had long-since dissipated, so they clasped hands and headed back toward the Leaky Cauldron. Harry didn't speak and Ginny didn't try to persuade him to. She just held his hand as they walked. Harry stopped, took Ginny in his arms, turned and they were gone.

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"Harry, dear, what's troubling you," Molly asked, placing a cup of tea in front of him.

"Is it the vaults, still," Ginny asked, standing behind him to massage the tense muscles in his shoulders.

"Yes and no. It's this letter I found in my mum's diary. I want to read it, but..." Harry shook his head.

"Do you want me to read it to you," Molly asked, her face full of concern.

"You are the closest I ever had to a mother, Mrs Weasley. Yes, please read the letter."

Ginny ceased massaging Harry's shoulders and took a seat next to him, cuddling up close. Across the table, Molly opened the letter and began to read:

"Dear Harry,

I find it difficult to write this letter. I know you are of age since you're reading it. I am Sirius Black and I am your godfather, in case no one has told you about me. At the time of this writing, your parents, my closest friends, have just been murdered. I came across your mother's diary, and as your godfather, the Goblins have allowed me to place it here in your family vault. I wanted to make sure you got it.

My wish, as I write this, is that I will be able to raise you as my own son, or at least be a part of your life. However, if you're reading this letter without me, my wish that we might enter this vault together hasn't come true. In fact, I fear that if you're reading this letter without me, I am dead. I only hope that we got to know each other, and that we got to know each other well.

Your dad and I are...were...best friends and your mother was dear to me. They loved you very much and died protecting you. There's so much I would like to write, but I'm hoping that there will be time to tell you everything in person.

Your godfather,
Sirius Black"

Harry clung to every word Sirius wrote, and cried into Ginny's neck when Molly finished reading it. Ginny held him close and pressed small kisses all along his forehead and into his unruly raven locks.

"Harry, love. Are you okay," Ginny asked in a placating tone.

Harry nodded. "I'm fine now," he said wiping his face with a napkin Molly had passed him. He picked up the diary and made to leave the table. "Thanks, Mrs Weasley." She nodded and handed the letter back to him.

"Want to read with me," Harry asked.

"Let's go up to my room where it's...quiet," she suggested, shifting her eyes toward the kitchen.

"Mum, we're going upstairs to read," Ginny called to Molly.

"Leave the door open," Molly warned.

Ginny sighed in mild frustration. "Yes, Mum."

Ginny led Harry up the stairs to her room, where they crawled onto the bed and stretched out, leans against the head board. Ginny rested her head on Harry's shoulder as he opened his mother's diary to the first entry:

"1 September 1977
First day of my final year at Hogwarts. I don't know how I feel about being back. I love Hogwarts and I am very proud to be Head Girl. However...guess who's been made Head Boy? James blessed Potter. By Merlin's beard, how can that mischievous prankster be Head Boy? He wasn't even a Prefect!
As far as I know, Potter has two talents—Quidditch and mischief. And what's more, all last year he bugged me all the time asking for a date. Now I'll have to work with him! Well then, he must take responsibility. I have to wonder if he even knows the meaning of the word! If you ask me, Remus Lupin would have been the better choice! At least he tries to be decent. Why he hangs around with Potter and Sirius Black is a mystery to me.
I will never understand why the other girls are so in awe that I will have to spend time with him. They think he's funny and cute; I think he's an arrogant toe rag. Okay, maybe not a toe rag, but he is obnoxious! I suppose if there's one good thing to say about James Potter, I must admit that he is sort of...cute..."

"Obnoxious and cute," Harry snickered. "Am I obnoxious," he asked Ginny with a sly smile.

"And cute...but never arrogant. Keep reading," she giggled giving him a peck on the cheek.

"You humble servant, milady," Harry intoned majestically, and then continued to read aloud:
2 September 1977
Merlin's pants! I'm so frustrated, I'd like to curse something, or rather, someone. A certain Mr James Potter to be exact. Only the second day of school and he's at it already! He asked me for a date. 'Not a snowball's chance in a dragon's cave,' I told him, and added that I'd rather date a werewolf. He just smiled. (His smile makes him annoyingly cute.) He said that he could indeed arrange a date with a werewolf for me, which I'm well aware of, but cautioned that there would be an express lack of romance during a walk in the moonlight. Git!
He admitted that he had been somewhat persistent last year, but if I agreed to go on one date with him, he would leave it up to me to ask him for a second. I was that close to cursing him on the spot. I admit he has charm and he's aware of it. I wanted to tell him 'no,' but heard myself say 'yes.' Can you believe it? I agreed to go on a date with James Potter! Well I guess I will have to get it over with. And if he even thinks of asking me again I'll curse him. It would even be worth a detention. I'm doomed..."

"That is so sweet," Ginny said dreamily. "She's so in love with him."

Harry looked at Ginny incredulously. "In love with him! She wanted to curse him! I hope you never love me that much," Harry argued, trying to stifle a laugh. "I've seen your Bat Bogey hex."

"She didn't want to admit it," Ginny explained. "But she was crazy about him."

"I guess there are things about girls I don't understand," Harry admitted. "But still...it's incredible to read my mother's words."

"Well, it took you six years to figure out about me," Ginny smiled and kissed him.

"What can I say? I was a first-class toe rag," Harry joked.

"No, you were a first-class prat. Read," she directed.

"As you wish," he said softly and kissed her hand.

They skipped ahead until they found the Lily's account of her first date with James.
"October 1st,
Hogsmeade weekend. I had never dreaded a Hogsmeade weekend more. This was the day of my date with James. My room mates encouraged me, telling me what to wear, offering me perfume spiked with love potion... I chose school robes and left for the Entrance Hall. There he was. My heart actually skipped a beat. He seemed more vulnerable without Sirius, Remus and Peter around him. He gave me one of those charming smiles of his as I came down the stairs toward him. I was actually nervous! He offered his arm, I took it, and we left.
I must say, he can behave himself when he has to. He acted the perfect gentleman. It was a beautiful day. By noon, I found myself forgetting that it was James Potter I was on a date with. Who was this kind, thoughtful, empathic and... yes, cute... wizard by my side and what had he done with that childish git, James Potter? I hate to admit it, but he showed me a wonderful time.
Returning to school, I began worry about how this date would end. Normally, a girl just leaves it up to the boy to ask for another date, but James had already promised he would leave it up to me. I should be glad I survived the day, and even having had a good time, I'd never have to worry about James Potter again. But as we walked toward the castle gates, I decided I really wanted to have another day like this one. But that means I have to actually ask—yes, that's right—ask James Potter for a second date. That urge to curse him felt very appealing again.
At the gates, we faced each other and I found myself under the gaze of my perfect date. I must have been confunded or something because the next thing I did was step closer to him and pout my mouth. I actually wanted him to kiss me! He hesitated, as if he wanted to make sure it was all right. I could have—I should have—walked away, but in that moment, I just wanted my most perfect date to end in the most perfect way.
Yes, I was sure. I wanted this wonderful gentleman to kiss me. And he did. He took me into his arms ever so gently and I immediately melted like butter in a hot skillet. I don't know how long it lasted, but it was the perfect kiss...and it left me wanting more. I know...I've written 'perfect' too many times today, but there's simply no other way to describe it.
I held onto his arm all the way back to the castle. He pushed that monstrous door open for me and ushered me inside with his hand on the small of my back. It gave me chills! He escorted me safely to Gryffindor Tower. Once inside, he kissed me again, but ever so softly. We broke apart and we said good night at the foot of the stairs leading to my dormitory. Now I have to figure out how to face him next time I see him... and how to face my room mates."

"That's so romantic." Ginny sighed.

"Yeah, my dad was pretty smooth, wasn't he," Harry said with a wisp of a smile.

"Well, now I know where you got it," she replied as she snuggled closer to him.

"Let's see what happened next, shall we?"
"3 October 1977
I couldn't write anything yesterday. I can't get that date out of my head...or that kiss. I can almost feel it lingering there. Then I think of who gave it to me. I couldn't focus on today's lesson in Potions. I couldn't concentrate! I made a horrible mess when I didn't pay attention to my cauldron. They say Potions class has been moved to another classroom temporarily, as they try to remove the stench.
Professor Slughorn, bless him, decided against detention, nor did he deduct house points. Sirius asked me how I had managed that 'brilliant' potion. He said I had created something that far outstripped the dungbomb and was impressed that I got away with a stunt like that in class. Sirius Black finds humour in practically everything.
The girls in the dorm giggled when I walked in. They all joined in a sing-song chorus, 'Lily's in love with James'. I threw a pillow at them. In love? Hardly! Yes, I enjoyed the date, yes, he was a gentleman. And then that kiss...that was something, but love? What shall I do? For two days I haven't been able to get that date out of my head. I can't get that kiss out of my head. I can't get him out of my head. Am I obsessing?
I must admit, I've never felt like this. I have to find him and either curse him or kiss him again. To make absolutely sure I can't be in love with him, I should definitely hesitate to kiss him with no second thoughts about cursing him. I think they practice Quidditch for another hour before they get back here. I just can't hold off until tomorrow. More later.
Now I've done it! I may never be able to show my face in public again! I left for the common room so I could be there when the team came in from Quidditch practice. This would be the first time I saw him since Saturday, except for class. They came in all muddy and sweaty from practice and there he was (what a body!) Our eyes met almost instantly. I immediately felt the same way I did right before he kissed me the other night. I had to restrain myself from running straight across the common room and throwing myself at his head. That's when it hit me. I am in love with James Potter! That's why I can't stop thinking about him!
I've had some crushes, but this is different. 'I'm in love...' so far so good '... with James Potter.' Excitement exploded inside me and the strong urge to kiss him took over again. I had to say or do something! Anyway, as the boys were about to leave for their dorm, I asked if I could have a word with the Head Boy. The others left for their dorm, leaving just the two of us in the common room—alone! My heart beat faster as I thanked him for a wonderful date. He smiled in that charming way of his and said it had been his pleasure. Then I buried my ego and thanked him for the most wonderful kiss I'd ever got. That's when I found my arms sliding across his muscular chest working their way around his neck. I asked him for another date.
He didn't gloat, he didn't say 'I told you so,' or anything one might have expected from 'Arrogant James Potter.' He just looked into my eyes and told me he would love to go on another date...and suddenly seemed uncertain as to what to do next. An all-time first. James Potter unsure of himself. I stood up on my tiptoes, looked him straight in those dark pools of his and kissed him. It took a moment, but he responded enthusiastically. If our first kiss was good, this one was fantastic! I'd never done French kissing before! I used to think it was disgusting, but this was bloody amazing! I felt faint and James gallantly reached out to steady me when we broke the kiss.
I heard myself saying what that kiss told me to be true. 'I love you James. I don't know how you did it to me, but I love you.' Still no gloating, but instead he said the most beautiful words I'd ever hear, 'Lily, I've always loved you'. He took me in his arms and held me there in against his muddy Quidditch uniform. I felt so safe, so... I don't know what, but I could have stood there like that forever. But it was getting late, so we kissed goodnight (neither of us wanting to part, of course) and feeling pleasantly confused, I returned to my dorm happier than I ever have been.
Crap! Severus will hate me, my room mates will remind me of every reason I ever came up with to turn James down for dates, and I don't want to know how badly Sirius will take the mickey out of me...us. Of course, Remus doesn't say much and Peter goes along with whatever James and Sirius do, so... Tomorrow will be my first full day as James Potter's girlfriend! By Merlin, it's brilliant!"

Harry had tears in his eyes reading about how his mother and father came to be.

Ginny resisted a strong urge to take a leaf out of Lily Evans' book and pull her son down into a kiss like that. Instead, she held back, not wanting to come on too strong. "Are you okay to continue," she asked biting her bottom lip.
She's so beautiful when she does that. "Yes, I'm okay. Let's see what happened tomorrow."
"4 October
By noon it was all over the school. The Head Boy and Head Girl are an item. Lessons went much better today, but I find myself daydreaming a lot. At least there've been no explosions and no stench.
After classes, I wanted to be with James. I caught up with him on the stairs heading back to the common room. He was, of course, with the Marauders, as they call themselves. I called after him and the four of them stopped and turned around. He approached me while other three waited up the stairs. He said he hadn't told anyone about us. I told him that I loved him and I didn't care that the entire school knew. If they knew, it would be so much easier to snog. Then I kissed him right and proper in front of them all and I didn't give a hang what any of them thought.
We headed for the common room, the infamous Marauders and me. Sirius reminded me that he still wanted to know how to do that potion. I told him he had to go on a date with James, let him kiss the lips off him, and then try to brew a standard healing potion. That shut him up! I'm in!
The most interesting part of the day was when I happily entered the Great Hall for dinner, hand in hand with James, and Severus saw us. Of course he must have heard the rumour, but I could tell he was hurt. I must tell him I'm still his friend, but nothing can change my feelings for James Potter."

Harry closed the diary. He didn't say anything for a long time. He considered his mother's words, turning them over and over in his mind. He only hoped Ginny loved him, like that.

"Gin?

"Yes."

"Was it like that for you...I mean when we kissed that first time in the common room last year," he asked.

"In the common room, and each and every time since then," she replied, smoothing a lock of raven unruliness.

"I've only just realized over the past week that I've loved you since the whole Chamber of Secrets thing," Harry admitted. "When I saw you lying on that cold stone floor with that damned book in your hands...you were like ice, Gin. I begged you to please not be dead. I couldn't bear...I didn't know..." Harry broke.

"Shhh. It's over now. We're here, together, and we're safe," Ginny whispered as she took his tear-streaked face in her hands and kissed him kindly and gently. Harry responded in kind. He ran his tongue along her bottom lip and she parted her lips to allow him access. He pulled her into his lap and enveloped her in the strength of his arms. Ginny threw her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss, pouring all of her love and passion into it.

"Ginny," Harry moaned as he ran his hands under the hem of her shirt and touched the bare skin of her back.

Shockwaves shot through her body as his hands travelled from her back to her stomach. She arched her hips forward as she moaned his name into his mouth. In a trice, she twisted and pulled him down on top of her across the bed and slid her hands up under his shirt. She dragged her fingernails lightly up and down the skin of his back as he caressed her bare stomach.

Harry trailed kisses from her mouth, down her neck, and over her throat as she moaned in agonised pleasure. Her hands left his back and slid down just inside the waistband of his jeans. She was about to reach forward when Harry broke away suddenly and rolled off her. "We can't do this, Gin. We've almost gone too far again. It's not right," he panted.

"I know, Harry, but you feel so good," she half-whined between breaths.

"You do too, Love, but I won't take advantage of you under your parents' roof," he insisted.

"You can't take advantage of me since I'm a willing participant, but I know what you mean," she replied.

"I suppose we'd better head down, don't you? I'm sure supper's about ready and we've been up here a long time," Harry said as he stood and straightened his clothes.

Ginny righted her clothes and tied back her hair so it didn't look quite so mussed. "After you," she said as they stepped out onto the landing.

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Ron had thrown himself wholeheartedly into helping George ready the shop in Diagon Alley for business. He had to do something with himself and busy work was just the therapy he needed. Hermione had gone off to Australia to locate her parents and bring them home, promising to be back in two weeks at the latest.

The first few days without her had found him moping around the house in a fog as if he'd lost his best friend. He missed Hermione terribly, becoming sullen and edgy.

"He misses Hermione, doesn't he," Arthur observed.

"I think so. He wanted to go to Australia with her, but she told him she needed to do this by herself," Molly said. "There was a bit of a row." Bright green flame belched out of the fireplace.
Molly rose from the table to embrace her son. "George! Have you eaten yet," she asked checking him over.

"I could do with a bite," he answered, kissing her on the cheek. He sat down at the table with his parents.

"What's going on," he asked taking his place at the table.

"Ron. We're worried," Molly said.

"Don't tell me. Ickle Ronnikins is pining, is he?"

"Stop calling me Ickle Ronnikins!"

"Ron, good morning, dear. Breakfast," his mother offered, ushering him to the table.

"Just coffee, thanks," he sighed and plopped down next to his brother.

"Hmm, gone off his feed, too. Serious business, I'd say," quipped George.

"Shut it, you," Ron growled.

"Sounds to me like you could do with a distraction, little bro, and I know just the thing," George smiled.

"Oh and what's that," Ron asked sardonically, pouring a bit of milk into his cup.

"Well... I could use an extra pair of hands at the shop tidying and restocking. I'd like to be able to open by the end of July."

Ron considered the option for a few minutes. His mother watched him expectantly as his father returned to his paper.

"All right, I'll do it," Ron decided. "When do you need me?"

"Pack a kit and you can go back with me this morning if you like. You can kip with me in the upstairs flat," George answered.

"Well then, that's settled," Molly said brightly. "More tea, George," she asked lifting the pot.

"None for me, Mum," he replied. "Ron and I have loads to do."

A few minutes later, Ron bounded down the stairs with his rucksack over his shoulder. He had an air of purpose about him and the emptiness in his eyes seemed to have diminished.

"Ready when you are, George," he said as he leaned over and kissed his mother."Bye, Mum. Bye, Dad," he said.

George and Ron strode over to the fireplace, took a handful of Floo powder, tossed it into the flames and said, 'Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes,' and disappeared with a whoosh!

Hermione returned ten days later, within two weeks, as promised. Molly greeted her with one of her signature bone-crushing hugs and the perfunctory inspection of her overall well-being. She flew into Harry's arms and he picked her up and spun her around.

"Welcome home, Hermione," he grinned, setting her down and placing a brotherly kiss on her flushed cheek. "We've missed you," he said.

"Ginny," Hermione cried and hugged her friend."Harry's been treating you right, yeah," she asked with a wicked smile.

"Oh yeah," Ginny replied with an equally wicked smile.

The two girls giggled conspiratorially as Hermione looked around. Her face fell a little, not finding Ron there. "W-where's Ron," she asked no one in particular.

"He's in Diagon Alley helping George get the shop ready, dear," Molly replied. "Perhaps you might want to send an owl," she smiled.

"You could always send your otter, you know," suggested Harry. "It'd be quicker."

Hermione had no sooner sent her message to Ron, when he stepped out of the fireplace with a Cheshire grin. Hermione ran to him, beaming as he took his characteristic long strides toward her and scooped her up in his arms.

"Welcome home, 'Mione," he said as he buried his face in her hair. He kissed her longingly, taking her breath away. Suddenly, the rest of the world just melted away. "I missed you so much," he confessed, as he caressed her face and hair. He then pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Mmmm, maybe I should go away and come back again," she joked, "if I'm to receive welcomes such as this one," she smiled dizzily as she raised her face for another kiss. Ron gladly obliged.

Ahem.
Red-faced and grinning, Ron and Hermione broke apart. "Sorry," they said together. Everyone had a good laugh as they sat down to the lunch Molly had been preparing when Hermione arrived.

"Tuck in, dears. I'm so glad we're all together again," Molly said with eyes twinkling.

Between bites, Hermione talked about the Australia, its people, the odd animals, and overall laid-back atmosphere that permeate that continent.

"They think we English are rather uptight," she explained. "I mean, their Wizarding community keep our secrets and all, but they're just less paranoid about it. They interact with the Muggle community rather nicely, actually."

"How so," Molly asked.

"Well, they live in the same neighbourhoods, for the most part, and they share the same beaches and many of them work together at their jobs. Of course, they have specialized Wizarding professions, such as Aurors and Healers, but otherwise, they're pretty copacetic on the whole," Hermione said brightly.

"We could take a leaf out of their book," Ginny said thoughtfully. "And they're right. We are rather uptight, aren't we," she snickered.

"Ginny, we really don't have much choice," Harry countered. "There are more of us in a smaller area in Britain than a larger country like Australia. After all, Australia is technically an entire continent," he reminded her.

"I suppose, but still...it would be nice to not have to be so careful all the time."

"I don't know," Harry smiled. "I kind of like having you mostly to myself," Harry said as he wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her temple.

"Enough, you two," Molly scolded. "So you found them all right then, your parents," she asked Hermione.

"Oh yes. It took several days, but I finally found them and put them right. They were a bit confused at first, but they're fine now. They're going to stay on a month or so longer to put their affairs in order, but then they'll return to England," she sighed. "I had to drop by the house to confund the Muggle family there into deciding to move closer to a relative," she confessed, a little embarrassed.

When they finished eating, Ron Flooed George to tell him he wouldn't be back for the rest of the day due to Hermione's return, and that he would spend that night at the Burrow to catch up.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," George chuckled.

"I don't think I'd want to do anything you'd do," Ron replied with a scowl. "Mum, we'll be out in the back garden," he called as the four friends made for the door.

"All right, dears," Molly called. "Have fun!"

"Thanks, Mum," Ron said as he placed his hand on Hermione's back and guided her out the door behind Harry and Ginny.

"The pond," Ginny asked, cocking her head.

"The pond," the others agreed in unison.

Harry conjured a rather large quilt that they spread out on the grass under the big, non-whomping, willow tree. They all settled down and made themselves comfortable.

Harry leaned back and drew his knees up so Ginny could tuck herself between them. He nuzzled her neck and clasped his hands around her middle. "All right, Gin," he mumbled into her hair.

"Mm hmm," she said, leaning her head into his chest.

Ron sat cross-legged with Hermione's bushy head in his lap. He took one of her hands and brought it to his lips. "Nice tan, 'Mione," he complimented her. Want to show me your tan lines?

"It's very sunny in Australia. Just about everyone is tanned," she said smiling up at him, "except redheads. Ginger Muggles slather themselves with sun block until the entire beach smells of aloe and cocoa butter," she laughed nervously.

There was a few moments' silence. "Hermione, how did it really go," Harry asked suspiciously. He knew her well enough to know when her laughter and attempts and lighthearted conversation sounded forced. Hermione was terrible at lying.

Hermione paused for a few moments and sighed. "We have some issues to work out. I mean, they understand why I did it, but it still took its toll," she said.

"Do you want to talk about it," Ron asked gently as his thumb traced circles in the palm of the hand he held in his. Hermione glanced up at Ron as tears began to well up in her eyes. Seeing this, Harry nudged Ginny in a manner of making to leave.

"Yes, but Harry... I want you and Ginny to stay," she said as she took hold of Ginny's arm to keep her from rising. Harry had already stood up. "Harry, would you mind casting a Muffliato... just in case," she asked. "I don't want this to go any further."

Harry rose and stepped off a light ward and then cast the charm. When he returned to his place against the tree, Ginny settled back in and Hermione told them what happened in Australia.

"I had no problem finding where they lived, but it was very strange knocking on their door, knowing my own parents wouldn't recognise me. I've missed them so much that I had to restrain myself from jumping into my father's arms when he answered the door." Hermione wiped away the tears that had begun to fall from the corners of her eyes with her free hand.

"I had to come up with a valid reason for my being there, so I told him I had important news for him and his wife. At first, I didn't think they'd go for it, but after only a moment's hesitation, Dad invited me in. Once we sat down in the lounge, I reversed their altered memories." Hermione's voice broke with a sob causing her to stop and compose herself. The others stole concerned looks at one another and tried to will their support to her.

"The first thing my dad asked me was where they were and how long they'd been there. I told them about our quest last year and my decision to alter their memories to protect them. They were furious that I had done it without asking their permission. They accused you, Ron and Harry, of having had a bad influence on me! They even accused your brothers, Ron!" Hermione burst into tears and buried her face in the crook of Ron's knee, wrapping her arms around his leg.

"It's okay, 'Mione. Don't cry," Ron soothed. Help me, he mouthed to Harry.

Harry decided to go for a bit of humour in hopes of coaxing a smile from Hermione so she could pull herself together. "Well Ron, you said yourself in first year that we'd had a bad influence on her when she set out on a search for Nicolas Flamel," he remembered, scratching the back of his head. "I believe she encouraged us to visit the restricted section of the library over Christmas break."

"A search for Nicolas Flamel? What's there to search? He's been all over the Chocolate Frog cards for years," Ginny reminded them as if they'd lost their minds.

"We know that now, Ginny, but we... oh never mind. I'll tell you about it later," Harry said, shaking his dishevelled raven head.

Hermione had managed to compose herself and continued her tale. "By now I was crying hysterically, trying to make them understand just how ruthless Voldemort was and that they wouldn't have stood a chance against him if he'd decided to come after them. My dad went bonkers, saying he was quite capable of defending his home. I told him to try to defend himself against me and drew my wand."

"What," Ron asked her in alarm.

"It wasn't pretty. While Mum tried to calm us down, Dad kept yelling really horrible things. I had about reached the end of my tether when I told him point blank to do his best against me. Then I transfigured him to a mouse and pretty much did what Moody—er—Crouch Jr did to Malfoy that day in fourth year. And then..." Hermione stopped, ashamed of herself.

"Hermione, what did you do," Ron demanded.

"Well, I cast the Imperius curse at him and had him dancing a ballet on the table." She couldn't help but smile a little.

"Your own dad," Harry asked, trying to stifle a smirk.

"I was so angry, but I had to make him understand... and technically he was a still a mouse, so... After I put him right, he stared at me. He looked so afraid. You know, they've never really seen what we can do with magic. I could never show them what I learned at Hogwarts during the holidays. This was the first time they saw me do magic. But I told him I loved him far too much to be able to really hurt him. But I also wanted to impress upon him—upon both of them—that my little demonstration was nothing compared to what Voldemort would have done to them, assuring him that Voldemort would have gleefully driven him and Mum insane. He'd have them hurt each other and let them relive that in an endless loop until they lost their minds.

They ultimately came to understand that it was the only way I could protect them, but still they're still unhappy that I didn't explain and get their permission first. The next day I told them that I had a boyfriend and who that boyfriend is. They took it surprisingly well, especially after Dad's tirade against you," she said, finally smiling again. Hermione took Ron's hand and squeezed it. And nothing will ever come between us.

"Considering that boyfriend turned out to be that bad-influence Weasley boy," Ginny smiled. They all had a tension-breaking laugh.

Hermione sighed again, though not sadly and said, "There's still a lot of healing to go, but they now understand that they should be happy we're all still alive and they are. I reminded them how Harry lost his parents in the first war and how Teddy lost his in this one. I also told them about Fred, Ron. They send their condolences," she said, kissing his hand.

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In a distant cottage, an evil-looking woman sat impatiently waiting for a report. There was a knock at the door and a man entered.

"Let's hear it," she said coldly.

"Harry Potter is well-protected. There is little or no chance of getting to him," the man said nervously.

"I don't want to kill Potter, you idiot, but I do want him to suffer," the woman snapped. "He destroyed our world, so we shall destroy his."

"Splendid. Are we going after his woman, then?"

The witch sighed and rolled her eyes. "No, we are not going after Potter's woman. She's as protected as he is and a powerful witch in her own right. You know, she duelled Bellatrix. All we would accomplish doing that would be to win ourselves an extended stay at Hotel Azkaban. The Dark Lord was a glorious wizard who was defeated by his own arrogance. Why else would he do something so stupid as to challenge the Ministry, Dumbledore's Order, and Potter all at once," she snapped.

"What is your plan," the wizard asked.

"Harry Potter destroyed our world when he defeated the Dark Lord. His puppet, Kingsley Shacklebolt, controls the Ministry and he, himself, courts the unthinkable. Do you remember that dear house elf he mentioned? Soon he will plead for house elves to hold seats on the Wizengamot! No, we must destroy this proposed new world of his."

"And how do we do that?"

"I'm glad you asked. We strike at the weakest point, of course. So much the safer for us."

"Which is...?"

"The filthy Muggles of course! We kill one or two. They are defenceless against us," she said giggling maniacally. "Isn't it brilliant?"

"I don't follow." And I'm not so sure I want to.

"Of course not, because you're not the visionary that I am. I'm not talking about some lowlife from the Muggle gutters. Oh no. I'm talking one of their precious celebrities. We Apparate into one of those poor Muggle excuses for a Quidditch pitch—a football stadium, I think it's called. Muggle Studies wasn't my best subject... We kill the Muggle celebrity in front of thousands of other Muggles, using spectacular magic. And what do you think would happen then?"

The wizard looked at the woman and he began to understand. "The Wizarding world would be exposed! There'd be no way to contain that many Muggles and alter their memories! We would shock them right back into the Dark Ages with a terrifying fear of wizards! Brilliant!"

"Of course it is. Harry Potter will live to see all he fought for crumble around him. He can have his life and his woman all he wants, but he will have to watch his friends suffer, you'll see. From all I've read and heard, nothing tortures Potter more than the thought of anyone he loves in torment."

"Where and when do we start?"

"When the time is right. Patience. We may only have one chance to succeed and avoid capture."

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As June melted into July, life seemed to slow down for the Weasleys, most notably, Harry and Ginny. They made several visits to Grimmauld Place to confer with Kreacher about remodelling it and turning it into a home. Harry wasn't exactly sure what that might entail, but Kreacher was keen to help refit it however his master wished. He even offered to remove Mrs Black's portrait from the wall in the entryway.

Harry and Ginny also made it a point to spend as much time with Teddy as they could. Andromeda often scolded them for doing too much, but Harry would hear none of it.

"I promised you that I would be here for him in every sense, including financially," he said, pressing the key to the vault he'd set up for Teddy back into her hand. "I want him to have all the advantages I'd been denied," he said, remembering the unnecessary deprivation in which he lived with the Dursleys.

"You didn't have to," Andromeda said, staring at the figures recorded on the accounting parchment Gringotts had sent by owl along with the key.

"He's my Godson. He's an orphan like me, and the son of one of my father's best friends. I love little Teddy and I am taking proper responsibility for raising him, and that means more than just spending time with him," Harry insisted.

Harry and Ginny thoroughly enjoyed just walking around anonymously through the Muggle parks around London, pushing Teddy along in a pram. Ginny treasured these moments with Harry and Teddy. How I desperately love this sweet, sweet man and this darling little boy. Harry couldn't keep his eyes off Ginny, especially when she held or played with Teddy. This is so normal and so...right...to have this gorgeous angel walking next to me pushing this pram.

Usually, they let the Muggles who stopped and spoke to them believe Teddy was their child, for in a way he was. Many of them complimented Harry and Ginny about how they displayed a maturity far beyond their years. One such encounter, though, was almost disastrous. Harry had to confund a Muggle lady who'd stopped to admire Teddy when he changed his hair colour. Harry noticed that casting the spell felt easier than ever before, though he hadn't practised much magic except for Apparation lately. But he worried a little about the strength of the spell. The poor woman would be fine, but as they left, she wished them a Happy Christmas—a clear indication of a too-strong Confundus charm.

One rare evening that Harry and Ginny found themselves alone together at the Burrow, they were sitting together on the sofa when Harry went quiet. His usually sparkling eyes had turned dark, his countenance introspective. Ginny recognised that as a signal that Harry was brooding about something.

"Harry, love, what is it," she asked as she got up to massage his shoulders.

"Come. Sit down," he said just above a whisper. He reached inside his jacket and withdrew the Elder Wand. He turned it over and over again in his fingers, contemplating it.

"Is that..."

"The Deathstick, the Wand of Destiny, the Elder Wand. Whichever you prefer, yes," he answered. "I had planned to put this back with Professor Dumbledore. I'm beginning to wonder if this thing has had something to do with the surge in my magic," he said and looked at her slightly apprehensive.

"But you've been using your Holly wand, Harry," she said, still staring at the Elder Wand.

"I know. I don't understand it, but that simple Confundus charm I cast at that Muggle lady in the park the other day nearly landed her in St Mungo's," Harry said regretfully.

"Harry, if you're that concerned about it, perhaps you might have a talk with Dad. He might have some thoughts for you," she suggested. "I mean, I know you don't want to tell anyone else you have it, so just speak generally," she said.

"You think so," Harry asked her thoughtfully.

"Yeah, I mean it's worth a try," she said, kissing his cheek. "Now, Mr Potter. We have the house to ourselves and I say we should take advantage of it while we have the chance," she giggled.

"So we do. I believe, Miss Weasley," he said with a twinkle in his once-again bright green eyes, "that you owe me a shutting up." She works on me like a Cheering charm.

"All right then," she said, pulling herself firmly onto his lap, "shut up and kiss me, you fool." She giggled again as he took her in his arms, leaned her into a cradle position, and lowered his face to hers in a gentle but firm kiss.

Ginny held his face with her free hand. She ran her tongue along Harry's bottom lip, teasing. As the kiss deepened, their blood turned to molten lava in their veins. Hands began to roam as tongues danced a passionate waltz. Pulses quickened and hearts pounded as their hands explored one another's bodies. Harry's lips left Ginny's mouth, travelling along her neck to her shoulders. She hitched in a breath and slid her hands under Harry's shirt to caress the muscles of his chest.

"Ginny," he moaned. "My sweet Ginny." He lifted her jumper up just enough to expose her belly. He caressed it then moved his hand down to capture her hip. She arched in to him.

"Harry," she sighed.

Just then, they heard a pop from somewhere near the kitchen, causing Ginny to launch herself off Harry's lap. They were able to arrange themselves just as her parents appeared in the lounge.

"Mum! Dad," Ginny said as innocently as she could. "Where've you been?"

"Your mother met me at the Ministry and we had dinner together," Arthur replied, slipping an arm around his wife.''

"The first date we've had in years," Molly said. "It was quite fun. Have you two eaten," she asked.

"Uh...no, actually. We were just..." Harry stammered.

Ginny cut across him. "I was just about to fix us a couple of sandwiches and some pumpkin juice. I saw some leftover roast in the cooler earlier." She stole a guilty look at Harry and winked. "I'll go do that, shall I," she said airily, walking past her parents toward the kitchen.

"Erm...Mr Weasley, could I... er... have a word," Harry asked his surrogate father. "It's rather important, if you don't mind, sir," he added.

"Of course, Harry," he replied. "Is everything all right?"

"Oh...yeah. It's just important, that's all."

"Why don't I just go and give Ginny a hand, then," Molly said and walked back toward the kitchen.

"So what can I do for you, Harry," Arthur asked.

"Well, sir, it's about something that happened when Ginny and I were in the park with Teddy the other day," Harry said nervously.

"Go on..." Arthur said.

"Yes sir. Well, it's just that Teddy morphed in front of a Muggle lady and I had to confund her. The trouble is that I nearly put her in St. Mungo's with it," Harry said regretfully.

"Well, Harry, I really don't know what to tell you other than to say you've had a sort of 'power surge,'" Arthur surmised.

"What should I do," Harry asked.

"I wouldn't worry about it too much, Harry. It happens sometimes when we're emotional or when we've been under a load of stress, and Merlin knows you've had your share of stress over these past couple of years," Arthur counselled him.

"Yes, sir, that's true. So nothing to worry about then," Harry asked hopefully.

"Nothing to worry about," Arthur assured him.

"Thank you, sir. I appreciate it," Harry said, shaking Arthur's hand.

"Anytime, my boy. Anytime."

"Harry! Come on and eat," Ginny called from the kitchen.

"Coming, love," he called back and strode toward the kitchen. He sat down next to her and ate while Molly joined her husband on the sofa in front of the big fireplace.

"So did you talk to Dad," Ginny asked, taking a sip of pumpkin juice.

"I did, and he says it's nothing to worry about. That it happens sometimes when magical people are stressed or emotional," he replied.

"That makes sense. So..."

"I'm not going to worry about it," he said resolutely.

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A few days later, a Hogwarts owl appeared and delivered four letters. Ginny's contained the standard seventh year information and instructions along with the announcement that she had been chosen to captain the Gryffindor Quidditch Team.

"Good one, Gin," Harry said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "You'll be brilliant!"

"You're just saying that because you know it's true," she said mockingly.

"Congratulations, Ginny," said Hermione.

"Yeah, you'll be great," said Ron distractedly.

Harry's, Ron's, and Hermione's letters came from Professor McGonagall personally, inviting them to return to Hogwarts to attend their seventh year and sit their NEWTs if they so desired, since the war had precluded them from attending the previous year. They hadn't given their futures much thought since Kingsley made them his offer several weeks before.

"Well, I'm going back to school," Hermione said.

"As if there were any doubt," Ron sighed. "But I'm not."

"You've got plans, mate," Harry asked.

"I'm going to stay on with George at the joke shop. We've been very busy and we're getting on famously. I'm happy with that for now. What about you, Harry?"

"Ginny and I have talked about it, and I'm going to see Kingsley before making a final decision."

The day after the Hogwarts letters arrived, Molly inadvertently walked in on Ginny and Harry in the throes of a magnificent snog. She set her basket of clean laundry down and left without a word.

"Are we in trouble," Harry asked looking at a blushing Ginny.

"Probably. We'd better go and talk to her."

"Can I do the talking," Harry asked.

"That's a good idea. She's less likely to go spare on you," Ginny nodded thankfully. "This is not exactly something I want to discuss with my mother."

Squaring their shoulders and putting on brave faces, they joined hands and descended the stairs, where they found Molly checking up on her knitting.

"Mrs Weasley, can you sit please," Harry asked, feeling rather awkward. Molly sat looking at them with pursed lips. "Is Mr Weasley here too?"

"I'm here, Harry," he heard Arthur's voice from the kitchen as he entered the room to join them. He took note of a strained look on his wife's face. "What's going on?"

Steady, Harry. You can do this. Harry explained to Arthur that Molly had walked in on him and Ginny snogging. "I don't know if you understand how deeply I love Ginny."

"Enlighten us," Arthur said with an unreadable expression.

"I guess I'll start from the beginning. When I got to know all of you, Ginny was Ron's little sister and I liked her as I liked all of you. You all made me feel as though I was a part of your family. But I guess things started to change with Ginny after the Chamber of Secrets." Harry paused and took a deep breath. Ginny wondered what Harry was getting at, but assumed he had a plan.

"Go on," Arthur said, not without finding the situation rather amusing, hearing Harry in a full out lecture about why he wanted to snog Ginny. After all, he was a teenage boy in love. Of course he wanted to snog his girlfriend.

"I had been bitten by the Basilisk when I plunged the sword into its mouth and through the top of its head. As I destroyed the diary, I was dying from the Basilisk's venom. I don't know if you were aware of that." Harry waited for them to answer.

Ginny's parents shook their heads. All they'd been told at the time was that Harry had saved Ginny's life. Ron had told them a few weeks ago about the Basilisk. The precise details about Harry fighting off and killing the Basilisk at the age of twelve to save Ginny was news to them.

"She opened her eyes and in that moment I felt something like exaggerated relief, knowing she'd live. And then Fawkes flew down to me and healed the wound with his tears, and saved my life." Molly's usual warm smile returned and Arthur seemed eager to hear more.

"Over the following years, my feelings for Ginny grew. Since she is Ron's sister, it took me a while to understand what I felt for her, but during my sixth year we actually dated and started a relationship. At Dumbledore's funeral, I decided I had to break it off with her. It was the hardest, most painful thing I ever had to do in my life. I loved her so much even then, that I couldn't bear the thought of Tom Riddle targeting and hurting or killing her to get to me. I couldn't allow Ginny to be hurt, so I... I let her go."

Harry began to shake again, so Ginny took his hand to help steady him. There were tears in Molly's eyes and Arthur looked deeply touched.

"And during our mission to destroy..." Harry almost said the Horcruxes, but caught himself. "...to destroy Riddle, I missed her terribly. I haven't told you this, Ginny, but I stared at the Marauder's Map almost every night just to stare at your dot showing you in your bed, usually while I had the watch at night."

Tears rolled down Ginny's face as she listened to Harry's further testimony of his love for her. She leaned over against him and buried her face into his shoulder. He put his arm around her protectively to comfort her.

"As you already know, I walked into the Forbidden Forest to face Tom Riddle, knowing he would kill me. It was my feelings for Ginny that gave me the strength to do it. When his Killing curse hit me, my last thoughts were of Ginny and her image was the last thing I saw. But, as it turned out, my mum's love kept me safe from death yet again." Molly had moved around the table next to her daughter. She took the girl in her arms and they sobbed together as Harry continued his explanation for his and Ginny's behaviour.

"Dumbledore often spoke of love, and he was right. It was love that defeated Tom Riddle, and if it weren't for the deep love I have for Ginny I don't think I'd ever been able to beat him. But I feel more than love for her. She is like a part of me, and without her I'm incomplete."

Molly looked up at her husband, tears running down her face in torrents. "I didn't know," she said softly. "I had no idea."

"Astounding," was all Arthur could say.

Ginny gazed at Harry with her own tears still coursing down her face. Her face seemed to shine. "Harry, that is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard," she said. Then, turning to her parents she spoke confidently, but kindly. "Mum, I know you still think of me as the baby, but I'm not a baby anymore. I love Harry with all of my heart and he loves me. We show our love to one another by snogging sometimes. But we also respect you and Dad, and we wouldn't... you know...at least until I'm of age." Ginny looked hopefully into her parents' faces. She couldn't actually say it out loud to her parents, but she wanted them to know she was fully committed to Harry.

"I wouldn't ever want to hurt either of you," Harry said to Arthur and Molly. "I couldn't. You're the closest thing I've ever had to real parents."

There was a brief uncomfortable silence as Molly and Arthur silently came to a mutual conclusion. It was only broken when Arthur spoke. "I'm...we're at a loss for words. We've watched countless times as you've sat holding hands in the garden, gazing lovingly into each other's eyes. Oh yes, we've watched, fascinated, as the two of you to exude love everywhere you go and in everything you do. We understood that you had strong feelings for one another, but we had no idea how deep those feelings ran," Arthur explained.

"We'd always hoped that there might be something deep and abiding between the two of you," Molly continued, "and we're thrilled to know now that that is indeed the case. It's just that it was a shock for me to find you...that way. It was just something a mother is never quite prepared for, especially where her only daughter—her youngest child—is concerned," Molly confessed.

"Harry, Ginny, believe it or not, we were young once too, and deeply in love. We made a few choices some might call unwise, and perhaps they were. We haven't any regrets, but we had to change a lot of our plans. But that's neither here nor there. The point is that we don't want to see you make the same type of potentially unwise choices."

Harry went scarlet.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again and again. Harry, the day Ron boarded that train and shared a compartment with you was a very lucky day for our family."

"And now, dears," Molly began. "We hear the tell-tale pops during the night and know that you, Harry, and Hermione have been switching rooms. However, if Harry will respect a not-until-You're-of-age rule, you may share a room and a bed. And furthermore, Harry, there will be no more of this formal Mr and Mrs Weasley nonsense. You're family. You will call us Arthur and Molly from now on, no arguments. It's our wish."

A shocked Harry and Ginny retreated to their room. They expected a furious tirade, possibly a lecture, but never this! They would be allowed to share a room...and a bed! They had promised Arthur and Molly that there would be no sex until Ginny reached the Wizarding age of majority.

Following the talk with Molly and Arthur there was a relaxation at the Burrow. They seemed to enjoy the happiness that beamed from Harry and Ginny. They noticed the way the two of them always kept one another happy and secure in just about everything they said or did. Molly and Arthur wondered whether that Whatever It Is was instinctive or just that the two of them were plain crazy in love.

It had become routine that each night, Harry and Ginny would cuddle up together in bed, and read from Lily's diary, learning more about how the relationship between Harry's parents developed and deepened into the abiding love Molly and Arthur talked about. According to her record, it seemed no one who hung around with James and Lily on a regular basis had been particularly surprised that they had fallen in love. Everyone, including the Marauders, knew James had been crazy about Lily for ages, and that it was just a matter of time before Lily came around. The way Lily described her feelings for James reminded Harry and Ginny of the deep love they felt for each other.

It was somewhat rewarding for Harry and Ginny to read the diary because Harry got to know a little bit about his mother, and through her words, his father. Ginny was able to gain a little insight into Harry. She saw a lot of his parents in him, especially the gallantry and playfulness he inherited from his father. He definitely inherited the gentleness he showed her from his mother. One night, after a goodnight snog, Ginny lay staring at the ceiling while Harry slept, his arm draped across her middle, holding her waist. She pondered what they had read from the diary earlier that night.

She looked into the peaceful face of the man she loved and spoke in her mind. How I wish Harry could have known you, Mr and Mrs Potter. Your Harry—my Harry—is a kind, gentle, and loving man you can be proud of. I promise you that I love him with all my heart and I will never let him go. Tears fell as she rolled onto her side and tucked into Harry's body. His arm tightened around her and she fell asleep.

One night, after reading and laughing over many romantically humorous entries, they came upon a particularly heartbreaking passage about an event that took place a couple of weeks after Lily and James got together. She had spoken about her new relationship with James Potter for the first time privately with Snape:
Poor Sev. I can tell he's fighting his emotions. He tries so hard to keep them in check. He never used to be like that, but I'm afraid the influence of likes of Lucius Malfoy and that crowd has poisoned his mind against the possibility of having friends outside Slytherin House. Still and all, I know Severus loves me and wishes me all the happiness in the world, but he's having a really hard time accepting that it's "that damnable" James Potter who makes me happy and that I am deeply in love with him.
(Sigh.) I wish Severus and James could be at least civil, because this constant animosity between them is killing me. I've hurt Severus, I know, he hurt me, but I'd hate to lose a dear friend because I cannot—I will notgive up my James!

Harry and Ginny held each other desperately, horrified by the thought that their friends and family could not accept them. "I love you so much, Gin, I could never even consider giving you up. Never again," Harry said, placing tiny kisses on the top of her flaming red head. Harry promised her once again that nothing would ever come between them as long as he lived. She turned her head and raised her face to him and gave him a sweet kiss, pouring all the love into it she promised Lily and James Potter she felt for their son.

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A few days later, Harry and Ginny received an owl inviting them to visit Hermione's parents. She and Ron had already been there for a couple of days. It was Ron's first visit and introduction as Hermione's boyfriend. Her parents had just moved back into their old home, which had been let out. They both looked forward to meeting Mr and Mrs Granger. When they arrived outside, they met Ron and Hermione, who had been waiting for them.

"It's a welcome home party for my parents," Hermione said passing them each a drink. "The house is full of Muggles."

Harry and Ginny nodded and the four friends began to catch up on the news. "So, you managed facing them, Ron," Harry asked.

"He's done quite well," Hermione said. "After some initial mishaps and confusion."

"This is a ruddy Muggle house," Ron said. "How was I supposed to know that a furidgerator needs to be closed all the time to stay cold?"

Harry laughed and Ginny looked at him, not getting the joke. "What is a furidgerator," she asked.

"Re-fri-ger-a-tor," Harry corrected. "It's a Muggle device that keeps food cold."

In the end, they all agreed that using a freezing charm was much easier. Hermione ushered them inside and led them over to her parents.

"Mum and Dad, this is Harry and Ginny, my best friends. Ginny is Ron's sister," she explained.

Mr Granger shook both their hands. "It's so good to finally meet you. Hermione has told us so much about you," he said.

"I understand we have you to thank for our daughter's life," Mrs Granger said to Harry.

"Actually I think Hermione saved our lives more times, and without her we would never passed our exams," Harry admitted. Mr and Mrs Granger exchanged pleasantries with their daughter and their friends while more guests poured into the house.

"Hermione? Is that you?" Hermione, Ron, Harry and Ginny turned around. A girl their age, with light brown hair stood staring at Hermione. "It is you. It's been... seven years, I think. Where on earth have you been?"

Hermione blinked at the girl. "Jenny?"

She nodded and the two girls shrieked and hugged each other. Hermione looked back at her friends and realized an introduction was in order. "This is my best friend, Jenny, from the time I grew up here. We were in the same Mug... school, before I met you lot," Hermione said and turned back to Jenny. "These are my best friends, Harry and Ginny, and the tall handsome one is my boyfriend, Ron." They greeted Jenny and exchanged the customary proprieties.

"Hermione, I haven't seen you in seven years! You disappeared, but all your parents would say was that you'd gotten into a new school," Jenny exclaimed.

"I'm sorry I lost contact with you, but I home only part of the summer. I've spent a lot of time at Ron and Ginny's," Hermione began to explain, finding it hard to omit so much from her old friend.

"It was a shock when you left, though. I returned to school and you were gone. All I ever heard was that you got into another school," Jenny said.

"So what are you doing now, Jenny," Hermione asked.

"Still at school, studying history. I want to be a teacher," she replied.

"A teacher! That's wonderful," Hermione congratulated her.

"What about you Hermione? What are you studying at that school?" The other three snapped their heads up and looked on with trepidation. They could see Hermione had been caught off guard and didn't know what to say.

"Witchcraft," she said honestly. Harry, Ron, and Ginny gasped and their eyes grew wide. Ron made a grab for Hermione's arm. Has she lost her mind? Ron's hand moved closer to his wand in case they needed to confund Jenny.

Jenny looked at her in shock. "WHAT?"

"Er...well...I mean, not witchcraft as a profession." Hermione had to think fast. "It's part of a Sociology track I'm on. You know, the sociology of religion and culture. That sort of thing. It's mostly a research project," she said. That was close.

"Hermione, that sounds really...er...interesting," Jenny said.

"Well...I suppose we should check on Mum and Dad," Hermione said looking at her friends for support. "There's quite a mob here and we should see if we can help."

"Yes, and I need to be going myself. Take care, Hermione. Keep in touch, yeah," Jenny said, giving Hermione a last hug.

"Right. See you later," Hermione replied as Jenny walked away.

Hermione wearily looked up at Ron, stepped into him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He pulled her into a tight embrace. "Ready to go home, 'Mione," he asked gently. "I think it's time, Love."

Hermione nodded. "Yes, you're right. Let's go home," she sighed realizing she was only a guest in the Muggle world.

"We'll be right back," Ron said to Harry and Ginny. "We're just going to grab our gear and say our goodbyes. We'll meet you outside."

Harry and Ginny nodded, wished Grangers well, and slipped out the front door to wait for their companions.

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A few days before Harry's birthday, a letter arrived for him. To his surprise, it was from Mrs Figg. He opened it and inside was a letter from Dudley Dursley.

Harry,
I don't know if you even care, but we've been back in Privet Drive for a few weeks. One of your lot told us it was safe because you won the war. Anyway, happy birthday. I realize you never got any presents here, and the only one I can offer is: I'm sorry.
Your cousin, Dudley

P.S. I figured Mrs Figg would be able to get this to you.

Harry read it again and wondered if someone had hexed Dudley during the time they were in hiding, or if his cousin taken leave of his senses.

"You've got to answer him," Ginny said flatly. "He's family."

Ron rounded on his sister. "Bloody hell, why? Don't you know what they put him through in that place?"

"Ron, please don't..." Hermione said quietly.

"Well... Harry told me some of it, but Dudley was only a boy."

They all looked at Harry expectantly.

"Okay, I'll write him. If nothing else, an owl will make uncle Vernon go mental," Harry said, a wicked grin stealing across his face as his green eyes twinkled with mischief.

Harry thought about what to write, and an hour later he asked Ginny to read it.

Dudley,
I accept your present. And if you wish, you are welcome to attend my birthday party, just write your answer on this letter, give it to the owl, and tell him to bring it to me. If you decide to come, I will meet you where we were attacked at noon on 31 July.
Harry

The next morning, the owl returned.

Harry,
Dad went spare when that bird delivered your letter. It was brilliant! I'd like to come.
*D*