Summary: A very different Harry begins his fifth year with his friends, family, and the love of his life by his side.
A/N: I thought I'd try my hand at a Harry and Ginny story.
Chapter 1: Grimmauld Place
Harrison, Harry to those he calls friend, was having the best summer holiday. Last year, during the Triwizard Tournament, he had been declared an adult when he was forced to compete in a competition for those seventeen years old and older. He was thankful for that as Heir Lord of the Noble and Ancient House of Potter. Now, that doesn't mean he gained access to his inheritance, but he did gain the freedom to make his own choices.
At the end of that year, Harry witnessed the rebirth of Voldemort, and wanting everything to have a fighting chance, he used an ancient charm that broadcasted what had taken place, and now everyone was preparing for the coming war. Harry had been sent back to the Dursleys, but he didn't complain. You see, Sirius was now free as everyone had seen Pettigrew at the rebirth of his pathetic master, so after two weeks, just long enough to power the wards for the rest of the year so the Dursleys were protected, he and Sirius had gone on vacation.
The one thing that bothered Harry was not one of his friends had written him over the summer except for the Twins, Luna, Neville, and Ginny. No one knew this, but Harry and Ginny have been dating since he had taken her to the Yule Ball. She was the most beautiful, fiery girl he has ever had the pleasure of knowing. He was going to marry her when she graduated from Hogwarts. Ginevra Molly Weasley was the love of his life.
The only people who knew that they were together were the Twins, Neville, and Luna.
It was the last week of summer, so Harry and Sirius were going back to headquarters just in time for Harry's fifth year. Thankfully, Kingsley Shacklebolt was an Auror, and a member of the Order was going to be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year. He was also going to be teaching a hidden group to take on Voldemort and his Death Eaters. The group was going to be the children of former and current Order members. Harry himself was going to be training with Sirius, Remus, Mad-Eye, and Tonks. He was in for one hell of a year, but at least he would have a fighting chance. He wasn't going to be training with the headmaster until the following year.
When they entered headquarters, Harry couldn't help but sweep his girlfriend up, hugging her, spinning in a circle. He has missed her.
"Hey Spitfire," he said, setting her down and holding her.
"Hi Emerald," she greeted giggling, unaware of their shocked and speechless audience.
"You two are dating?" Molly asked smiling. She viewed Harry as another son. She loved him just as much as her own children.
"Yes," they said at the same time. No one knew they were speaking in their minds. No one knew about the soul bond between them.
"You owe me fifty galleons," Remus said holding his hand out towards Sirius, causing the twins to laugh as everyone shook their heads as Sirius grumbled under his breath.
"How long have you been together?" Hermione asked, making Ginny's eyes flash with anger as she knew how hurt Harry had been when Hermione and Ron hadn't bothered to write.
"Since the Yule Ball," Harry said through clenched teeth. He has gotten better at controlling his temper since he has learned occlumency. It was required of him to protect his family secrets. It took a minute but everyone, Dumbledore, noticed the lack of scar on Harry's forehead.
"What happened to your scar?" Dumbledore asked.
"The Goblins took that repulsive thing out of my head. I no longer suffer through having a connection to that monster. If you had taken me to them just after it had happened, then it wouldn't have felt like my head was going to explode. After they had taken it out, my power emerged, and since it had been part of me for so many years, I have the added power of Voldemort. I wanted to know if it would have damaged my soul, and thankfully, the Unspeakables said I was still a good person," Harry said knowing Dumbledore would know what he was talking about. But what he didn't say was that he was the reincarnated soul of Merlin. There was no use in telling anyone aside from Sirius, Remus, and Ginny.
He wasn't going to keep that big of a secret from the love of his life.
"I'm sorry," Dumbledore said, since he hadn't known that the Horcrux could be removed any other way aside from death.
"I'll think about forgiving you," Harry said before turning towards his friends. "Why didn't you stay in contact with me?" he asked.
"Dumbledore said it could be too dangerous," Ron said, causing Harry's aura to flare in anger.
"I see. So, you didn't think of Dobby? You know, the loyal little house elf that follows me around. Neville, Luna, Fred, George, Remus, and Ginny had stayed in contact with me all summer. This is the last time you betray me on someone's say so. If it happens again, stay away from me. I do not need or want two more Peter Pettigrew's in my life," Harry said as his eyes flashed with barely concealed rage.
When Hermione and Ron heard that they were compared to Pettigrew, they were angry, but they understood. Hermione had betrayed him with the broom in their third year, while Ron betrayed him last year when his name came out of the Goblet. They knew there would be no third chances. Harry was big on trust, break it, and you never have a chance to earn it back.
"That is a little harsh," Dumbledore said.
"Maybe. But it's true. I am not you. I don't believe in giving third chances. When I get done training, you can be damn sure that any death eater I come across is either going to be maimed, or they won't leave the battle alive," Harry promised.
"You tell them, Potter. Only good death eater is a dead death eater," Mad-Eye said as Sirius and Remus nodded in agreement. Harry could see that the Twins and Ginny also agreed with him, as Hermione and Ron stared at him in horror. They couldn't believe what they just heard, but on some level, they agreed with him. People like that, who enjoy pain, terror, and death, were never going to change.
It was time to take the fight to them.