4
After the Battle
Chapter 4: Shell Cottage
Ginny stepped out of the floo and breathed a sigh of relief. It felt so good to be away from under her mother's control, even if it would only be for a short time. At least that was the impression she had gotten from her mother right before she left.
Ginny really hadn't paid that close attention even though she knew she should have. She knew she'd be returning for Fred's funeral that would take place in a couple of days but after that things were a bit sketchy. She figured she deal with that when it happened.
She was surprised to see Bill sitting at the table in the kitchen, preparing a pot of tea. Not that what he was doing was so unusual but she hadn't expected him to be there at all.
"Bill!" she cried as she charged into the kitchen, flinging her arms around him and hugging him hard.
"Hey Spitfire," Bill replied, hugging her hard in return.
Ginny didn't notice him glance over her shoulder as she barely heard Fleur floo in behind her.
Bill and Fleur exchanged glances, with Bill giving his wife a nod before turning his attention back to his sister.
Unseen by Ginny, Fleur slipped up the stairs, disappearing from sight.
"I'm so glad Fleur was able to talk Mum into letting me come here. I don't know what she said or how she did it, but I'll be eternally grateful for the rest of my life," Ginny exclaimed, unable to contain her happiness.
"We're glad that Mum let you come too. I know how tense things were and it's hard enough dealing with everything without have you and her at each other's throats," Bill replied with a grin.
"Well, whatever, I'm just glad I'm here, whatever the reason," Ginny sighed, giving her brother a soft grin.
Bill snagged her rucksack that she had dropped as she came charging into the kitchen. "Come on, let's get you settled and we can talk later," he smiled as he led her toward the stairs.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "You know, I'm quite capable of carrying my own things," she retorted, trying to take her rucksack back.
Bill deftly switched arms and kept it away from his sister, grinning at her. "I know you are, just let me give you a hand, for Merlin's sake," he cried good naturedly in exasperation.
Ginny huffed but it was good naturedly and she rolled her eyes at him. "You know, I'm not a little girl any more," she chided him with a smile.
Ginny was totally surprised by Bill's reaction as he suddenly blushed and gave her an embarrassed look.
"I know, trust me, I know," he replied enigmatically.
Ginny looked at him bewilderedly, wondering what that was all about but before she could ask him, he turned and led her into the guest room, rushing a little to beat her there.
Ginny shook her head and wondered what the hell was going on and considered pulling her wand, something she would have done if it had been one of the twins leading her.
That brief thought of the Twins, jolted her heart and she frowned sadly at the memory of Fred's loss.
"Bill, what the hell . . " she started to say as she turned into the open door. Suddenly she couldn't breath as she ground to a halt just inside the door, her eyes seeing but her brain trying to deny what they were looking at.
It took a moment but her eyes flitted to Bill and Fleur who were standing to the side, both grinning like idiots at her.
"Harry," she whispered so softly, Bill and Fleur barely heard.
She swallowed, trying to wet her suddenly dry mouth and closed her eyes, shaking her head, before slowly opening her eyes again and stared at the bed.
Her eyes flickered back and forth from the figure lying on the bed and to Bill and Fleur, blinking them rapidly like she couldn't believe what she was seeing. Her breath began to come in short, fast pants and she began to feel light headed.
Fleur's grin softened and she hurried forward and grabbed Ginny by the shoulders and guided her into the chair by the bed.
"Breath, Ginny," she softly urged.
Ginny stared up into her eyes, barely containing her tears, she then glanced back at Harry as if to reassure herself he was really there and then she looked back up at Fleur, the tears starting to fall.
"How?" she whispered. She screwed her eyes up and swallowed heavily and then looked back at Harry, really taking him in.
Still in denial she asked, "This isn't some sort of cruel joke is it, that's really him?"
Then she took a really good look at him and didn't like what she saw. She could tell something was wrong and she realized he hadn't woken or even moved. "What's wrong with him," she sobbed, feeling totally disoriented.
"Shhhh, it's okay. Yes it's really 'Arry and we found 'im on our doorstep when we returned 'ome last night. 'E was soaked to the bone and suffering from 'ypothermia but we 'ad Madam Pomfrey come and 'e's doing much better now," Fleur patiently explained while comforting Ginny.
Ginny leaned into Fleur's embrace, taking deep calming breaths, slowing her racing heart, relieved that she finally knew where Harry was. She almost lost it again when she realize just how close she had come to losing him and she knew that her heart would never have survived if she had lost him.
"Thank you, both of you," she whispered huskily. "There is no way I'll ever be able to repay you for giving him back to me."
Fleur kneeled down in front of Ginny and brushed the tears from her cheeks. "There is no need to thank us," she cooed softly, giving Ginny a warm, soft smile.
Ginny suddenly threw herself at Fleur, almost knocking her over and hugged her tightly, "Oh Godric," she cried happily. "It's my Harry!"
She kissed Fleur hard on the the cheek before she jumped up and threw herself at her brother, hitting him hard and totally unaware.
"Ooffff," he grunted as Ginny slammed into him. "Easy there, Ginny. No reason to injure us," he laughed.
Ginny just hugged him tight, the tears once more trailing down her cheeks, she was so afraid that she'd wake up back at the Burrow and find out all this was just some cruel nightmare.
Fleur seemed to sense what Ginny was thinking and came up behind her and began to rub her back comfortingly. "Mon Cherie, relax, 'Arry's 'ere and you're 'ere, all will be well," she whispered.
Ginny just clung to her brother and let the warmth she was feeling from those she knew to be her true family fill and calm her.
She was just thinking that she'd be content to stay there forever when they heard a low moan from behind them and she broke free and ran to Harry's side.
She watched in wonder as his eyes fluttered open and after a moment of disorientation, found hers. "I must have died and gone to heaven because I opened my eyes and the first thing I see is an angel," he whispered hoarsely.
"Oh Harry," Ginny cried softly as she leaned down and embraced him.
Harry growled in frustration because his arms were trapped under the blankets that were firmly wrapped around him and it took a bit of a struggle before he was able to free them and hug Ginny back.
He sighed tiredly, surprised at how drained he felt from the simple act of freeing his arms.
"I was so worried about you," Ginny sobbed softly. 'I had no idea where you had gone and it broke my heart."
Bill and Fleur quietly left the room, leaving Harry and Ginny alone for the moment so that they could talk in private for a while.
They headed down to the kitchen where they began to prepare some tea and a hearty broth for Harry.
They took their time and it was about twenty minutes later when they returned to the guest room and found Ginny snuggled into Harry's side.
Though Harry's eyes were closed, he and Ginny were talking lowly, their voices barely audible as Bill and Fleur entered.
Bill smiled while Fleur chuckled softly at the sight that greeted them. Ginny raised her head and gave them a sheepish grin, slightly embarrassed by having them find her tucked up so close to her fiancé.
"As much as I am loathed to disturb you, 'Arry needs zome nourishment," Fleur laughed.
Ginny rolled over and with Bill's assistance got Harry sitting up. He smiled and sighed appreciatively when Fleur placed the tray with the broth in his lap.
As Harry began to feed himself, Bill, Fleur and Ginny sipped their tea. Ginny kept glancing at Harry and Bill and Fleur weren't sure if it was to make sure he was eating or whether it was that she just wanted to make sure he was really there. Perhaps it was a bit of both.
They shared smiles, glad that they had been able to bring Ginny where she needed to be.
A short time later, Ginny noticed Harry sigh and pause while feeding himself. "What's wrong?" she asked worriedly.
"I"m just really tired," Harry sighed.
"Would you like me to finish feeding you?" Ginny giggled lightly.
Harry shot her an annoyed look.
"Harry, let her. Women love to fuss over their men when they aren't feeling well," Bill laughed.
"Yes, 'Arry, it's our maternal instinct," Fleur added, her eyes shining brightly.
Harry glanced at Ginny out of the corners of his eyes and gave her a small grin.
Ginny took that as a yes and grabbed his spoon and began to feed him, much to Bill's and Fleur's amusement.
By the time Ginny had finished feeding Harry his broth, Fleur saw Harry sagging noticeably. He also appeared flushed and was beginning to perspire.
"'Arry, are you okay?" she asked, feeling quite concerned.
"I'm fi . . ." he began to say but stopped quickly when he saw Ginny glaring at him.
He gave her a wan smile before looking back at Fleur. "I'm not feeling that well," he admitted, earning him a smile from Ginny.
"What's wrong?" Fleur asked, rising and coming over to his bed.
"Well, I feel a bit chilled but sometimes I'm hot but the biggest thing is my chest is feeling a bit heavy," he admitted lowly. He winced when he saw Ginny's disproving look.
"Why in the name of Merlin didn't you say something?" Ginny scolded him.
Harry gave a small shrug. "I guess it didn't bother me so much at first. I was so happy to find you here when I woke up, I didn't really think about it and then I just figured it was because I'd been so cold and shivering so much. Plus I've always had a high tolerance to pain and discomfort, because of . . . well you know, the way I grew up," he said uncomfortably.
Ginny felt her eyes tearing up. She hated to hear how horribly his relatives had treated him and she vowed to do whatever she could to see that he never was treated that way again and that he'd never feel unwanted or unloved.
"Arry, you should get zome more rest," Fleur suggested.
Harry looked at her showing his reluctance, that was until Ginny asked "Would you like me to lay down with you?"
A huge smile blossomed on his face. "I'd like that very much," he said sheepishly, much to Bill's and Fleur's amusement.
Ginny kicked off her trainers and crawled into bed next to Harry and gave him a hug.
Harry sighed contentedly and settled next to his fiancée, tucking into her side and laying his head on her shoulder, a smile gracing his lips.
It didn't take long for him to drift back to sleep.
Fleur looked at Ginny. "Do you need anything?" she asked quietly, a small grin on her face.
Ginny shook her head. "Not at the moment. I didn't sleep all that well last night so I think I'll just take a kip for a while," she whispered, giving Harry's sleeping form a loving look.
Fleur drew her wand and summoned a set of small silver hand bells and placed one next to Ginny's side of the bed on the night stand.
"If you ring the bell, you won't 'ear anything but mine will ring, letting me know you need something," she explained softly, glancing at Ginny and taking a peek at Harry too.
"Get zome rest, I'll zee you in four 'ours if you don't need anything before 'and. That's when 'Arry will be due for 'is potions," the beautiful blonde woman explained.
Ginny just nodded her head, her eyes already growing heavy, but she had a soft smile on her face, the first one since Molly had sent Harry away. She was asleep before Bill and Fleur left the room.
The Weasley couple headed down into the kitchen and once there Bill gave Fleur a tender embrace coupled with a short but intense kiss.
"I'm going to go check on if they've made arrangements for Fred's funeral yet," he sighed to his wife with a sad look.
"Alright, but try not to be gone too long," Fleur replied, her look letting him know that she'd prefer not to be alone for any extended period of time.
She had grown to love Fred as a brother as she did with Harry, George, Charlie and even Ron, though she found his continued reaction to her a bit annoying.
She sighed as she thought about Percy, never having been able to develop the depth of feelings for him as the others. His estrangement from his family was just something she couldn't understand. Family had always been so important to the Delacour's.
Sure she found her sister Gabrielle annoying at times, what older sibling didn't but she had been what Fleur would "sorely miss" for a reason. She loved her little sister with all her heart.
Bill eyed his wife closely, trying to assess how she was feeling.
Fleur gave him an indulgent look. "Go, the zooner you leave the zooner you'll be back," she chided him with a small smile.
Bill gave her one more squeeze before he released her. "Okay, I'm going but try to get some rest too," he replied, returning her smile.
Fleur gave him a shrug. "I doubt I'll be able to get any rest until you return," she replied non-apologetically.
Bill knew better than to say anything as he knew it wouldn't get him anywhere, except making Fleur angry with him. Something he wanted to avoid at all costs. They were all under enough strain as it was and he didn't want to add any more.
He realized she was watching him with a slightly amused expression, with one eyebrow arched up and he knew he'd better get going. He gave her one last quick kiss before he went outside to Apparate to the Burrow.
Harry and Ginny
Ginny's eyes snapped open and she glanced around groggily, feeling slightly disorientated and she wondered what had woken her.
She quickly got her answer as she felt Harry writhe against her and she realized her shoulder was soaked from his sweat.
She instantly became alert and took a good look at him and didn't like what she saw.
His face was flushed to a much greater degree and he was sweating profusely. The thing that worried her the most was the sound of his laboured breathing.
Carefully, so not to disturb him, she reached for the bell Fleur had left and gave it a ring. Like Fleur had said, she didn't hear it ring but faster than she anticipated, her sister-in-law appeared in the doorway.
She took one look at Harry and gave a worried frown. She quickly came over to the bed and conjured a basin of cool water and a flannel.
"I'm going to go summon Poppy," she said worriedly, leaving Ginny to deal with Harry for the moment.
Ginny was able to get Harry laying flat and began to wipe his face down with the cool flannel, tears forming in her eyes. From her touch, she could feel Harry burning with a fever but he was shivering as if chilled.
Though it only took a few moments for Fleur to return with Poppy, to Ginny it seemed an eternity.
The matron was at Harry's side in an instant, drawing her wand and casting diagnostic spells.
She shook her head, frowning. "I was afraid of this," she muttered worriedly.
When Ginny looked at her imploringly, she said "He's developed pneumonia, a fairly common result of experiencing hypothermia."
"He'll be alright, won't he?" Ginny asked, with tears in her eyes.
Poppy sighed, trying to decide just what to say to the distraught young woman. "I won't sugar coat it. He's seriously ill but hopefully he'll respond well to treatment. The problem is his system is run down from the hypothermia," she explained as she resized her medical bag and began to take out a number of potions.
With all the activity, Harry finally opened his eyes and glanced around. He smiled wanly when he spotted the matron. "Hey, Madam Pomfrey," he said laboriously.
"Hello Harry," she replied, much more warmly than any of them had heard her speak before.
Harry's smile brightened as he hoarsely croaked "Sorry for being such a bother."
Poppy arched one eyebrow at him, though there was a small smile on her face. "Let me assure you, I'll let you know if I think you're being a bother," she teased good naturedly.
Ginny sat there gobsmacked at the interplay between the usually stern and stoic matron and Harry.
"Now, lets see if we can't get you sorted out," Poppy remarked warmly.
She gave him an indulgent look as she began to hand him the first of a multitude of potion vials.
Harry began to chuckle but it quickly morphed into a series of long, deep coughs that left him drained and panting.
As he gulped the next potion, Poppy took another one out of her bag. When Harry frowned at her, she smiled at him. "It's for your cough and for your information it has a nice pleasant minty taste," she smirked.
Harry rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I'll believe it when I taste it," he whispered hoarsely.
Poppy arched an eyebrow and looked at him challengingly. "Have I ever lied to you?" she asked pointedly.
Harry sighed and shook his head, admitting that while the matron could be stern, she had never once lied to him.
"At least it's a good tasting one," she teased lightly, which caused Ginny to giggle.
Harry shot an annoyed glance at Ginny.
"Don't even," she hissed back, giving him a look that made him open his eyes wide in shock.
Then he gave her his best sad puppy dog eyes that made her smile and shake her head. "Just behave and you'll have nothing to worry about," she said softly.
The exchange had the other three occupants of the room smiling in amusement.
Harry worked his way through the line of potions that Poppy handed him one by one. Most made him grimace at their foul, unpleasant taste but he did smile and nod his head when he took the final one, having to admit it did have a nice minty flavour.
It didn't take long when he felt his eyes growing heavy and he suspected that Poppy had slipped him a calming draught at the minimum or maybe a sleeping potion.
He was mildly surprised when he found he didn't care. As miserable as he felt, sleeping sounded like a good way to escape what he was feeling.
As soon as Harry had drifted off, Poppy went over his potions with Ginny and Fleur. Besides the cough suppressant he was receiving a mild pain potion, a fever reducer and an antibiotic potion along with a strengthening potion and a nutritional supplement.
Ginny felt her head spinning and she wondered if she'd be able to keep all of the information straight, then she noticed that Fleur had either summoned or conjured a quill and piece of parchment and was writing it down.
As soon as she was done, she handed the parchment to Bill and sat down heavily in one of the chairs and began to sob.
" I zould of called Poppy zooner," she cried quietly. "If I 'ad, 'Arry wouldn't be zo zick."
Bill rushed to her side and wrapped his arms around her, offering what comfort he could. At the same time Poppy came over and crouched down in front of her.
"Now you listen to me Fleur Isabelle, you can't dwell on what might have been or what you could have done different. It accomplishes nothing and doesn't help one iota. All we can do is deal with things as they are," the matron scolded lightly.
Fleur brushed the tears from her cheeks and gave Poppy a thin smile. "Thank you," she breathed quietly.
"But . . ." she began to add, halting when Poppy gave her a stern look, arching one eyebrow high, daring her to continue.
Having dealt with Fleur, Poppy rose and went over to Ginny, giving her a frown. "Why haven't you come to see me to get checked out," she asked, glaring at the redhead.
Ginny cringed and gave the matron an apologetic look. "I just figured there were so many others that were seriously injured and needed to be treated," she grimaced, waiting for the dressing down that she figured she deserved.
She was taken by surprise when she felt Poppy's hand cup her cheek, raising her head so they were looking into one another's eyes.
"While that may have been true in the first few hours after the battle ended, that doesn't excuse you from coming and finding me later," Poppy chided lightly, her eyes displaying so much warmth but also a deep sense of disappointment.
Ginny sighed and glanced around the room quickly, trying to decide just how much she wanted to explain.
Deciding that the three who were with her were more deserving than anyone else she knew, she began to speak.
"To tell you the truth, I ah, got a little carried away with celebrating," she began softly.
She flinched when she saw Poppy's small frown.
"Yes, I'm well aware of how much alcohol was consumed by a large number of those who survived," the matron fumed in disapproval.
Then her look softened, "Though I can't really blame them," she added quietly, a small smile creeping onto her face.
"Well, I finally found Harry and we, um, got reacquainted and in the process we did end up drinking quite a bit of Firewhisky," Ginny continued.
"While I don't approve, I do understand," Poppy interjected.
Ginny glanced at Harry and smiled lovingly. She turned her attention back to her audience.
"I, ah, guess you could say, I got caught up in the moment and wanted to celebrate life in a different way. When I noticed that almost everyone was asleep or passed out, I dragged Harry up to what would have been his dorm," she explained softly but there was a deep warmth to her words that struck the listeners deeply.
"Well, one thing led to another and I, um, kind of attacked Harry, not that he wasn't as eager as I was," she said with a smirk.
She couldn't help but notice how uncomfortable Bill was acting and she giggled lightly.
Her look suddenly sobered. "You have to understand that I had thought he was dead and it just about killed me. I wished that Bellatrix's curse had hit me so I could be with him again."
She barely noticed Bill suddenly turn white as the blood drained from his face. Fleur gasped and began to sob quietly, overcome by what Ginny had said.
Poppy rose and took Ginny into her arms, hugging her tightly. "Now aren't you glad that didn't happen?" she asked softly. "It would have been such a tragic waste and all for nothing."
"I know that now," Ginny sniffled.
She gave Poppy a hard squeeze and then relaxed her grip.
Poppy kissed her on the forehead before she sat back down.
Ginny eyed Bill impishly, eager to see his reaction to what she was going to say next.
"Needless to say, Harry and I ended up making love for the first time," she sighed dreamily.
Bill turned red and suddenly stood up. "I think I'll go make some fresh tea," he choked out as he all but ran from the room.
The three women shared a warm laugh.
"Jinny, you are so impossible," Fleur chided, though she was smiling widely.
"It was the most amazing experience of my life," Ginny beamed softly, a wide smile on her face.
"After indulging a second time we fell asleep. I can't even begin to describe how wonderful it felt to sleep wrapped in the arms of the man I love," she sighed happily.
"We had just finished a repeat performance the next morning when my mum came charging into the room. Needless to say she was less than pleased," Ginny groaned.
"I told my mother that we'd talk soon and a couple of hours later after Harry and I got sorted we had that discussion with my parents. Needless to say it didn't go well. For a moment I thought things were going to be okay when I let slip how bad things had been at Hogwarts this past year but then Mum wanted us to promise that we wouldn't act inappropriately, as she put it," Ginny explained sadly.
Poppy gave her such a sad understanding look, remembering what had taken place under the rule of the Death Eaters.
"When I refused to make such a promise, Mum demanded that Harry leave. After that she dragged me back to the common room and once Kingsley told my parents it was safe to go to the Burrow, that's were we went," Ginny continued sadly.
"I guess you know what happened from there," she finished, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
"I was fairly certain that something like that 'ad taken place," Fleur sighed despondently. "Eet is such a shame that Molly refuses to see you as the wonderful, strong woman you've become."
"I would 'ave done the same in your situation," she added with a smirk.
Ginny looked at Poppy. "So that's why I never ended up coming to see you," she sighed sadly.
"All right, I'll let you go this time, but I won't be so lenient again," Poppy teased with a smile.
She gave Ginny a stern look. "I do hope you are taking precautions," she said pointedly.
"Yes, I take a potion because it helps with my cramps," Ginny replied, blushing lightly.
Poppy gave her a nod of approval and then drew her wand. "Let's get you checked over," she said with a smile.
Casting a diagnostic spell, the most serious thing she found was a small fracture of one of her ribs. Other than that all she found was a multitude of strained ligaments and sprained muscles along with various scrapes, cuts and bruises.
She quickly healed the fracture and healed the majority of Ginny's other injuries. Unfortunately, the muscles and bruises would have to heal on their own.
Ginny had just slipped her tee shirt back on when Bill appeared carrying a tray with the tea and some pastries.
"Is it safe to come back in?" he asked hesitantly.
"Yes, Beel," Fleur replied, rolling her eyes.
"Good, I really didn't need to hear any more about what Ginny and Harry got up to," he sighed in relief.
"More?" Fleur asked keenly.
"Yes, well, um, while I was taking care of Harry while you summoned Poppy and made the broth, Harry kind of told me . . . things," he winced uncomfortably.
Fleur and Poppy chuckled while Ginny blushed but she found herself grinning, imagining Bill sitting there with Harry, having to listen to things she was sure he didn't want to know.
Poppy removed several vials of potions and handed them to Ginny.
Ginny made a face but dutifully took each and every one.
Poppy nodded in approval when Ginny took the potions without complaint. "You should rest too," she instructed the young redhead.
Ginny nodded and climbed back into bed with Harry and snuggled into his side.
At a look from the matron, Bill and Fleur proceeded her from the room.
Ginny sighed contentedly, knowing she was where she needed to be and as she drifted off to sleep, she gave thanks for being allowed to be with Harry.
Harry and Ginny
Bill led Fleur and Poppy into the parlour and after serving the tea, he looked at the matron. "What are the chances of Harry being well enough to attend Fred's funeral in a couple of days?"
Poppy gave him a sad look and shook her head. "Knowing Harry, there isn't a chance in hell that he won't attend the funeral, no matter how sick he is," she replied sadly.
Bill and Fleur both chuckled ruefully, knowing just how accurate Poppy had been.
"Hopefully he'll be recovered enough so that he won't risk himself too much," the matron added.
She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Give him a double dose of the antibiotic potion every other dose," she instructed. "That should help him recover quicker, just watch out for him developing diarrhea as the antibiotic could kill the good bacteria in his digestive tract. Also monitor him closely at the funeral as even if he is feeling better, he'll tire easily and could trigger a relapse or some other complication."
"Okay," Bill replied. "Is there anything else we should do or look out for?"
"If you can, try to get him to leave early. Even just the emotional stress will be hard on his system as run down as he is," Poppy added worriedly.
"We'll try," Fleur chuckled ruefully.
"Just do the best you can. Maybe try and get Ginny to urge him to leave," Poppy sighed.
"I doubt he'll leave as long as Ginny is there," Bill huffed sadly.
"Like I said, just do the best as you can and I'm not even going to ask about how Ginny is here with Harry, knowing how your mother acted," Poppy remarked with a grin.
"Well, what Mum doesn't know can't hurt her," Bill replied mischievously.
"Well I just hope Molly doesn't find out," Poppy said fervently.
Bill and Fleur nodded in agreement.
"We'll deal with that if we have to," Bill replied firmly, meaning every word.
Harry and Ginny
A/N: So Ginny has arrived at Shell Cottage and found to her delight that Harry is there, though it's tempered with how ill he is.
Bill and Fleur continue to show how much they love and support Harry and Ginny. He truly is family to them.
It will be interesting to see how things go at Fred's funeral.
Please review, it warms my heart when you do.