2
After the Battle
Chapter 2: The Consequences of Celebrating
Harry and Ginny slowly made their way down out of the Seventh Year Boys Dorm toward the common room where they expected Mrs and Mr Weasley to be waiting.
The had been caught by the Weasley matriarch doing the "Dirty Deed" several hours ago, something that had not been received well.
Ginny had calmly told her mother that she and Harry would be down soon to discuss things, temporarily stalling the angry woman.
Of course, to Harry and somewhat Ginny too, 'soon' was a relative term. He figured he'd been on the run for a little over nine months and hadn't seen any of the other Weasleys besides Ron, who had accompanied him and their other best friend, Hermione Granger, so a couple of hours was really soon looked at in that context.
Ginny had expressed her disappointment as soon as her mother had left, that she had wanted to have another "go' and he being a proper gentleman had obliged, not wishing to disappoint the woman he had just asked to marry.
In fact it turned out to be the best sex they had shared yet, something that amazed both of them.
Afterwards they had lain in the bed and discussed their future together, knowing they'd have time later to talk about what they both had gone through while they had been apart. Somehow each knowing and understanding that was going to be a very difficult discussion and they didn't want that to interfere with what they needed to talk about before seeing her parents.
They both chose to concentrate on the future as it was a much happier topic for discussion.
They also discussed what they were going to say to Ginny's parents, wanting to present a united front and get their facts straight. Both had been a little pissed at the time when they had headed up to the dorm where they ended up making love for the first time. Okay, they admitted they had been more than a little pissed, maybe a lot pissed.
Once that had been settled they went and showered together, and if it took a lot longer than normal because they indulged themselves once more before they finished showering, they really couldn't be held at fault, could they?
They were young, in love, had been separated for a little over nine months, just gotten back together (even though Ginny never really considered them broken up), made love, twice, slept together, made love again, gotten engaged, were starting to make love again, been rudely (to them) interrupted when her mother had barged in, without knocking mind you, talked, showered and made love again while doing so, so they figured that they should be given a little leeway.
Then there had been that minor disagreement when Ginny had suggested that maybe it would be better if she went and talked to her parents alone first and Harry had to put his foot down, saying that there was no way he was going to let her confront her parents alone.
Ginny had of course protested and maybe the fact they were both still slightly hungover and anxious due to the impending confrontation, things got a little heated.
It wasn't until Harry had kissed her soundly and smacked her once on the arse rather hard, that they came to an agreement that Harry was going with her and there was nothing she could do about it, that things had settled down.
That brought them to where they were at the moment, walking hand in hand down the stairs. Ginny kept glancing at Harry, thinking about her smarting arse and planning her revenge.
Harry, the poor bloke, had no idea what was running through her mind because she was smiling at him and he was feeling a bit smug that he had won their first argument as an engaged couple. Oh the poor young man.
As they descended the last couple of steps they were surprised to see the whole Weasley family sitting in the common room, well all but Molly, as she was pacing back and forth, a scowl on her face, as she kept glancing at the stairs. The only non-Weasley present was Hermione and she appeared as clueless as the rest of the Weasleys.
Molly's scowl deepened when she spotted the couple and headed right toward them with fire in her eyes, looking like she was going to explode at any moment.
Harry and Ginny quickly glanced at everyone else, assessing them to see if by their reactions if they knew what they'd been up too.
Fortunately it appeared only Arthur, Ginny's father, was privy to that piece of information. Though he looked decidingly unhappy, it appeared it was more with his wife than his daughter and Harry, not that he appeared particularly happy with them either.
"It's about time you two showed your faces," Molly snapped angrily when she reached them.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Ginny replied sarcastically, her brilliant brown eyes flashing with her own anger. "Harry and I had things to discuss before we came down here."
While Ginny was fencing with her mother, Harry was carefully watching the others. He could see the confusion on their faces, not understanding what was going on.
He actually found it kind of amusing as their heads bounced back and forth from one combatant to the other like they were watching a tennis match.
Of course he knew that could change in a heartbeat if Ginny's brothers found out what the argument was about.
Harry watched as Arthur rose and bravely stepped between the combatants, something he wasn't sure he would have been brave enough to do.
"Enough," Arthur cried with a slightly elevated but controlled voice, glaring at the two formidable women.
He glanced back over his shoulder at the rest of the assembled people before turning back. "Perhaps this is a discussion that would be better off held in private," he growled, eyeing his wife and daughter each in turn.
Harry found his respect for the man grow considerably. Though his future father-in-law usually presented himself as a rather quiet, laid back man, there was steel in his voice that plainly said that he was the head of the Weasley family and would be listened to.
Harry found he couldn't keep from grinning at the looks on the two Weasley women's faces, both staring at the man with surprised looks.
This of course, earned him a glare from his future mother-in-law and a puzzled look from his fiancée. He smiled reassuringly at Ginny, trying to convey that he'd explain as soon as he could, garnering him a nod that told him that she understood.
Harry found himself marvelling at the fact the he and Ginny were displaying something that he had only observed in married couples before, the ability to 'speak' to one another without any words being exchanged.
What really astounded him was seeing the light of recognition that sprang up on Mr Weasley's face when he noticed it too and he noticed a small smile form on the man's lips as he did so.
Arthur's look at him and Ginny softened for a moment before he turned his attention back to the two Weasley women.
Harry found himself having to stifle a laugh as he watched the Weasley patriarch have a silent conversation with himself.
His eyes lifted as he looked up the stairs behind Harry and Ginny, obviously contemplating having the private discussion up in the dorms. He frowned slightly and shook his head imperceptibly, rejecting the location, probably considering it Harry's and Ginny's 'home turf'.
He then glanced at the rest of his family sitting around the common room, once again rejecting it, probably considering it Molly's 'home turf'.
His eyes drifted to the portrait hole and a small smile grew on his face as he gave a small nod, deciding to head for neutral territory.
He turned to the others. "All right you lot, I want all of you to remain here while we go off and talk. I expect to find all of you here when we get back," he ordered sternly, eyeing each of them in turn.
Harry noticed Bill and Fleur eyeing him and Ginny. Bill looked contemplative while Fleur had a gleam in her eyes and a small smile that made him think she may have come to the proper conclusion as to why Molly and Arthur wanted to have a talk with him and Ginny in private.
As for the others, Charlie seemed to be ready to fall asleep, while Percy just looked uncomfortable and a little confused.
Ron appeared more confused than Percy and while Hermione had a very worried look on her face, it didn't appear as if she had figured things out yet.
What surprised Harry the most was seeing the ghost of a smile on George's face and he wondered if he had figured it out too.
Arthur turned his attention back to them and motioned for the other three to proceed him to the portrait hole.
Molly huffed in irritation and spun on her heel and stormed off, never once looking at any of the others.
Harry took Ginny's hand and they followed several feet behind the Weasley matriarch. He gave his Love a reassuring smile as they calmly walked to what they both knew was going to be a contentious discussion at best.
Arthur sighed and fell in line behind the others, wishing with everything he had that the coming discussion wasn't necessary but knowing it did need to take place. He hoped that it would go well and not add to everything the family was dealing with at that moment.
He found Harry, Ginny and Molly waiting outside the portrait hole. Since he was in charge, they were waiting to see where he wanted them to go.
He sighed once more seeing the looks his wife was giving Harry and Ginny. The only thing that made him feel any better was the way the two of them were looking and acting toward one another. The love they had for each other was plainly evident for him to see and he only wished that Molly would see it too.
It warmed his heart that such a love could blossom amidst all the death and destruction that had taken place the last forty-eight hours.
His mind began to work furiously, trying to think of somewhere they could go nearby that was still safe enough because of the damage to many parts of the castle.
Harry could tell that Mr Weasley was thinking about where they could go so they could have their discussion undisturbed and briefly thought about mentioning the Room of Requirement but then decided not to.
After the fiasco with the Slytherins and Crabbe setting off the Fiendfyre he wasn't sure if it was still useable.
In the end, the Weasley patriarch just led them down to the next floor and began poking his head into each room they came across, looking for one that was suitable.
The first room they found was in reasonable shape but when Arthur spotted a large dark stain that appeared to be blood, he quickly withdrew and proceeded further down the corridor.
The second room was also quickly rejected as there was a huge hole blown into the wall, leaving a large number of the massive stones scattered about.
Fortunately the third room proved suitable, though a couple of the large windows had been broken, the rest of the room was virtually intact.
Arthur ushered everyone inside and proceeded to cast a number of privacy spells, not wanting their conversation overheard. He also locked and sealed the door so that they wouldn't be disturbed.
Once he had that done, he turned around and took a good look at the other three occupants of the room.
Though he kept his face neutral, inside he was smiling when he saw Harry and Ginny.
They were standing together on the other side of the room, their hands were linked and they were talking softly to one another. The thing that struck him the most was the way they were looking at one another.
Their eyes shone with the love that they shared and he wished his wife would only see that.
He could tell that they were exhibiting a certain degree of anxiousness though there was also an air of confidence and determination evident.
He felt a swell of pride rise inside of him for his daughter and erstwhile son. As young as they were in years, they were displaying a maturity of someone much older.
That made him think about the reasons why they were both acting older than their ages. Each having had to deal with events that made them grow up well before their time, something that saddened him greatly.
He shifted his gaze to his wife and slowly shook his head, not liking what he was seeing.
She was fidgeting while standing near the front of the classroom, her arms folded tightly across her chest while she glared at Harry and Ginny.
Arthur sighed, hoping that she'd calm down enough to at least listen with an open mind, though at that moment he realized it might just be wishful thinking.
The first thing he decided was that he had to do something to make sure things didn't get out of hand. He went over to his wife and gave her a quick hug, whispering, "Please try and calm down, I'm sure things aren't as bad as they seem."
While he was doing that, he deftly slipped her wand out of her pocket and into his own.
He met his wife's glare stoically, giving her a wan smile, secretly glad she hadn't noticed his subterfuge.
His mission accomplished, he turned and went over to his daughter. It was difficult not to display any emotion so that she didn't get the idea that he approved of what had taken place.
"May I have your wand, please?" he asked softly and politely. The good thing was, that they were far enough from Molly that she didn't hear what he had requested.
Ginny felt her anger beginning to rise, outraged that he was asking for her wand when he hadn't done the same with her mother.
Harry saw Ginny's reaction and actually smiled a little. He had seen Arthur pilfer Molly's wand, something that Ginny obviously hadn't noticed.
He leaned over to her. "It's okay, I saw him take your Mum's wand when he hugged her," he whispered reassuringly.
Ginny fought a grin as she handed her wand to her father, impressed at how sneaky he had been in removing her mother's wand without her knowing.
Slipping her wand into his pocket with Molly's, Arthur turned around and took up a position between Harry and Ginny and Molly.
Harry couldn't help but smile as the image of Arthur acting as the umpire or referee sprang into his mind.
Luckily, Molly was concentrating on her husband and didn't see Harry's smile, something that would have set her off as she was already barely controlling her anger.
Arthur glanced back and forth between his wife and daughter. "Do either of you wish to begin?" he asked softly, his voice filled with sadness.
Ginny hesitated, trying to get her chaotic thoughts in order.
Molly took immediate advantage of her daughter's silence. "I can't believe how you are acting Ginevra and then the way in which you spoke to me. I find both totally unacceptable," she screeched indignantly, her eyes blazing with her anger.
"I thought we had raised you better, but obviously I was mistaken," she continued to rant.
Harry felt Ginny tense and saw her anger rising. He gave her hand a soft reassuring squeeze and was happy to see and feel her relax slightly.
Ginny's eyes flitted to Harry's and she gave him a small smile in thanks before she turned her attention back to her mother.
"I'm not ashamed of what I did with Harry. I love him and as soon as we're able we're going to get married. While I might wish I had spoken to you differently, I'm just tired of you treating me like I'm still some little girl," she responded hotly but with surprising control.
Molly's eyes flashed triumphantly. "You're not of age," she exclaimed loudly.
Ginny sighed sadly and sagged tiredly. "No I'm not of age yet but I will be in a little over three months and while I may be young in years, sometimes I feel well over one hundred," she replied softly, dropping her gaze to the floor.
Harry saw the pained, devastated look that enveloped Arthur and he knew he was thinking about all Ginny had been through.
"Well, yes. We all know what you went through your . . . first year," Arthur said awkwardly.
Ginny's head snapped up, her eyes blazing with anger. While she had vaguely told her parents that things hadn't been good at Hogwarts this past year, she had never gone into any details.
"You don't know the half of it," she snapped angrily.
"What do you mean?" Arthur asked apprehensively, not sure he really wanted to hear her answer.
Ginny briefly considered not telling her parents and wished she'd been able to tell Harry first while they were alone, but her hackles were raised and she couldn't stop herself.
"The Carrows were in charge of discipline and their favourite punishment was the Cruciatus Curse," she spat angrily.
The effect of her revelation was immediate as the implication of what she had said sunk in.
Harry felt his blood begin to boil and he unconsciously squeezed Ginny's hand hard as his anger overtook him.
Arthur's mouth dropped open and he stared at his daughter in shock.
Molly's look of anger evaporated, changing to one of complete devastation and she sobbed in despair.
Ginny turned and looked at Harry, her eyes pleading for understanding.
Harry gazed deep into Ginny's eyes and saw how hurt she was and sorry she felt, knowing that she'd have preferred to tell him when they were alone.
His anger disappeared and he smiled sadly, letting her know that he understood and didn't hold it against her.
He saw how tired she was and led her over to a nearby chair. He sat down and puller her down into his lap, wrapping his arms reassuringly around her.
Ginny cuddled into Harry's body, resting her head on his chest, right below his head and began to sob softly.
Harry briefly glanced over at Mr and Mrs Weasley, seeing them embracing one another, both looking as devastated as he and Ginny felt.
He returned his attention back to the distraught witch in his lap. He placed a soft kiss on the top of her head as he pulled her in a little tighter to his chest while rubbing her back tenderly.
Slowly she calmed down and stopped crying, snuggling into Harry. She sighed and rubbed her face into his chest taking all the comfort she could from his tender attention.
Arthur led Molly over and they sat down next to Harry and Ginny.
Harry looked at them, searching their eyes, wondering what they were thinking.
Arthur kept looking at his daughter and Harry could see how heart-broken he was.
"Ginny?" he called softly, his voice breaking with his emotions.
Ginny stirred in Harry's lap but didn't look at her father. "What, Dad," she asked softly, her voice sounding so weak and tired that it tore at Harry's heart.
"Why didn't you tell us?" he asked painfully.
Ginny just shrugged. "What would that have accomplished?" she asked in reply. "There was nothing you could have done and I just wanted to put it all behind me."
"How . . . how many times . . ." her father stammered, barely keeping himself under control.
Ginny just shrugged. "I lost count," she replied nonchalantly, as if she didn't care. The truth was she didn't want to remember and had numbed herself to it because thinking about it was too painful.
Harry felt tears running down his cheeks and he found himself so damn proud of her inner strength. If anyone could understand just what she had endured and overcome, it was him.
He hugged her close and whispered into her ear, "You are the strongest person I know and I love you all the more because of it."
At first Ginny wanted to protest and tell him he was wrong, but the intensity of his conviction slowly made itself known. As much as she wanted to deny it, she knew what he said was true and she found herself looking at herself in a new light.
She realized if anyone could really know about such things, it would be Harry because he had endured just as much if not more than she had.
"Thank you," she whispered back warmly.
"Ginny," her father repeated.
"Dad, can we just not talk about that for now. I thought we were here to discuss another topic," she sighed.
Harry had to choke back a laugh. For some reason he found it rather hilarious that Ginny would rather talk about what they had been up to than discuss what she had gone through while at Hogwarts.
Ginny leaned her head back and glared at him but it didn't have the desired effect as Harry just continued to fight his smirk.
He saw her look begin to change and then her lips began to quiver and turn up at the ends and he felt her shake a little as she fought her own laughter.
A look of understanding passed between them and they turned their attention back to her parents.
They saw Arthur looking at his daughter in surprise while Molly was frowning once again, though it was obvious that she wasn't nearly as angry as before.
Ginny gave them a soft, sad, small smile. "Like I said, I'm not ashamed of what Harry and I did. My only wish is that Mum would learn to knock," she sighed.
They watched as Molly's eyes widened in indignation but before she could open her mouth, Arthur covered her hand with his and gave it a squeeze.
Molly's eyed narrowed as she turned her glare at her husband.
Arthur met her gaze calmly but with a firmness that held Molly's tongue.
He gave a soft sigh, his eyes pleading with his wife for understanding.
Harry recognized that they were having one of those silent conversations though he had a harder time figuring out exactly what they were saying this time.
Whatever it was, Molly's look soften slightly and though she was still frowning, she gave Arthur a small curt nod of her head.
They saw Arthur relax slightly and nod back at her before he turned his attention back to his daughter.
"We know that we can't change what you and Harry did but at the same time we want to let you know that we can't condone your behaviour. It was our understanding that you had indicated that you wanted to save such things till you were married," he said rather stoically though there was an underlying touch of sadness accompanied by a certain tenseness.
Ginny closed her eyes and took a couple of deep calming breaths.
Opening her eyes she met her father's gaze unabashedly. "While I did think that at one point, I realize now it was a rather fanciful ideal. After all that had taken place, thinking Harry had died, I found myself wanting to celebrate life with the one I loved," she replied quietly but with conviction.
She took a quick glance at Harry, silently pleading for him to understand.
She was surprised to see tears in his eyes and she could see how much he regretted having caused her so much pain. She gave him a look that let him know she understood and didn't hold him responsible. It was what it was and one of the things they needed to talk about.
Once she saw him relax a little, she turned her attention back to her parents.
Her father had a sad but resigned look on his face, it was her mother that worried her.
Molly's eyes were slightly widened and her mouth was partially open but other than that her expression was unreadable.
Then like Ginny feared it quickly morphed into one of anger.
"I find that totally unacceptable. What assurances do I have that there won't be a repeat of this mornings misbehaviour?" the Weasley matriarch ranted.
Harry began to open his mouth to give his word that there wouldn't be a repeat at least until Ginny was of age when he felt a sharp jab in his ribs from her elbow and saw her glare at him and he snapped his mouth shut.
"I refuse to agree to any such thing," Ginny replied angrily. "I'm not a child any more and I refuse to be treated as one."
Molly stood and glowered at her daughter. "Until you're seventeen you are still my responsibility and if you can't promise me not to act in an unbecoming manner then I'll just have to prevent you from seeing one another," she raged.
Ginny sprang off of Harry's lap, staring at her mother incredulously, her anger climbing to here-to-for unreached heights.
"You can't do that," she screamed.
"You just watch me," Molly snapped in reply.
"I hate you!" Ginny screamed louder than ever,
Harry jumped up and wrapped his arms around Ginny, pulling her back away from her mother.
Ginny spun in his arms and buried her face into him, crying freely.
Harry glanced over the top of her head, meeting her mother's eyes.
"Please Mrs Weasley," he pleaded broken-heartedly, tears beginning to roll down his cheeks.
The Weasley matriarch stared back uncompromisingly. "I'm sorry, Harry, but if my daughter can't promise me that you two won't control yourselves, I have no other course of action to take," she replied sternly.
"But Mum . . .," Ginny began to protest.
"My mind is made up and there's nothing you can say at this point to change it. In fact I think Harry should leave now," Molly barked, her eyes blazing.
Ginny looked up into Harry's eyes, both filled with their tears. "But Fred's funeral, I'll need you there," she implored so softly that only he heard.
Harry glanced at Molly and she just stared back unflinchingly, waiting for him to leave.
He gave Ginny a small shrug, not knowing what to say, his heart breaking because he knew they both would need the others love and support, not only for Fred's funeral but for all the others who had died.
Ginny sobbed and threw her arms around Harry's neck, kissing him desperately, never wanting to let go.
It took hearing a low growl of displeasure from Molly to finally end their kiss.
"I'll write every day and come for you on your birthday," Harry sobbed, his tears falling freely.
"I'll be waiting," Ginny cried, heart-brokenly.
With supreme effort, Harry finally let go of Ginny and slowly made his way to the door, not knowing how he was going to survive without seeing and holding the love of his life for so long.
Ginny stood there, still as stone, crying just as much as Harry until her mother came over and tried to take her in her arms.
Ginny violently shrugged off her mother's embrace and took several steps forward to get away from her mother.
Arthur looked back and forth between Harry and Ginny and though he wanted to go to his daughter, he decided that Harry needed him more at that moment.
Ignoring his wife, he hurried after Harry, not knowing what he was going to say but knew he had to say something.
By the time he got to the hallway, Harry was already halfway down it toward the stairs. His head was down and his shoulders were shaking with his sobs.
"Harry, please wait a moment," he called out in desperation.
Harry stopped but didn't turn around, he just stood there waiting, his shoulders still shaking as he cried.
Arthur ran to the distraught boy, and then he realized he wasn't a boy any more, probably hadn't been for a long time.
He grabbed Harry and hugged him hard, wishing he could do or say something to make everything all right.
"Why, Mr Weasley, just why?" Harry finally cried despondently.
"I don't know, Harry," Arthur replied sadly.
He held the young man who had become as precious to him as any of his sons, tears leaking out of his eyes.
"Let me talk to Molly. Maybe I can get her to at least let you and Ginny see each other for Fred's funeral if nothing else," he sobbed sadly.
Harry sighed and nodded his head. At this point he'd take whatever he could get. "I'd better go," he whispered softly, his heart breaking at the thought of not being able to see Ginny.
"Where will you go?" Arthur asked, worried about the young man.
Harry just shrugged. Right at that moment he really didn't know and he was in no shape to give it any thought.
Knowing that staying there wouldn't do him any good, Harry pulled away from the Weasley patriarch and continued his way slowly down the hall, once he reached the stairs, he turned and began to descend, not wanting to go back to the Gryffindor common room and have to see the rest of the Weasleys.
Arthur watched until Harry disappeared from sight, his heart breaking for Harry and Ginny and he hoped that he could make Molly see reason.
Wiping the tears from his cheeks, he turned and slowly made his way back to his wife and devastated daughter.
Harry and Ginny
A/N: Here's the second chapter once again, really almost the same with just a few minor additions, changes and corrections.