Thank you for the reviews. Here is the next part. Things are starting get a bit nuts at this time of years. But hopefully I will still be able to post and write.
I don't own any of the characters. Even though I suppose in the parts so far I own Audrey's personality as all we have from JKR is a name.
Harry listened as people from Hogwarts spoke about Colin, his forever taking photos and his belief that Harry was the answer to all the problems in the magical world. What often started as jokes seems to end in constantly in the person speaking to say that Colin had been right to always stand up for Harry and they were now free of the Dark Lord for once and for all.
Harry couldn't help but wonder what Colin's parents thought of all this. After all Hermione had always claimed her parents were wonderful and tried to understand everything. But found it all a little confusing. Harry knew all too well his Aunt and Uncle never wanted to admit or be reminded there was anything magical in the world at all. But felt a guilt at how little he hadn't really known Colin that well after Mr. Creevey spoke.
"We were blessed with two very special sons. This was confusing to us at first. I mean it's a little odd in our world when your toddler starts making his toy planes actually fly." This had earned some smiles and knowing glances among the people there. Harry couldn't help but catch Dean and Hermione's eyes. They knew what it was like to have magical abilities but no one really to explain them to you. "But we were blessed." Mr. Creevey continued. "We had an old couple down the road who would watch Colin and Dennis playing at the local park while they sat and fed the birds. I think I almost snatched the children and ran when they first approached me to tell me they were a Witch and a Wizard. But thankfully I heard them out and we finally knew our kids weren't freaks as my brother had called them, but were magical like so many of you are." He stopped and nodded at an elderly couple Harry had thought earlier must be Colin's grandparents but now realised these were the people that first recognized the magic in the Creevey brothers.
"I'm so pleased now for the blessing they have been over the years in explaining things to us. We had wanted to keep the boys from school this year we knew that things were dangerous in your world. But our boys insisted they were a part of it, and that they would be safe at Hogwarts. Even though we know now that wasn't the case we still understand that your world and our own as a result were under a huge threat. I'm still struggling with the fact that one of our greatest lights has gone out in our lives. But I know that with that loss and sacrifice has come a great freedom that we will all live a safer life because of."
"The pity being that I can't say to all our family and friends at the service later that Colin died a soldier and a hero for all of our sakes. I can only praise him by lying about a story of him saving others from a fire at his boarding school but losing his own life in the process. I know that still makes him a hero….but….well I wish…..I wish I could tell them the truth." Mr. Creevey finished with tears running down his face.
Harry couldn't help but wondering what it would have been like growing up with a muggle family that loved you anyway. Colin and Dennis clearly had parents who listened and cared about the world their magic had allowed them to be a part of.
After this most of the people slowly left and those who were attending the church funeral piled into a couple of limos the Creeveys had hired to take them all there. Hermione was very quiet during the drive, while George and Ron took in everything about the Limo, and wondered why it needed to be so big on the outside when all you needed was an extension charm if you wanted to fit more people in a car.
"You alright Mione." Ginny asked from where she sat next to Harry. You've been very quiet since the service.
Hermione sighed, and looked at Harry, then at Ron surprising them by wiping a few tears from her cheeks. "I can't help but wondering if I've been wrong." She stated.
"Wrong?" Ron questioned her and suddenly stopped looking at the mini bar in the Limo and sitting back down next to his girlfriend and taking her hand. "What may I ask have you ever been wrong about?"
Hermione, squeezed his hand, and half shook her head. "I'm thinking about my parents. I mean I knew they worried about me, I told them a little of our adventures when we were young, but….well they would get concerned. So I stopped telling them about the bad stuff, and well anything about Voldermort. So…" She stopped and sniffed. "When it came down to it, I removed myself from their memory and packed them off to Australia to keep them safe. Now…well look at the Creeveys they understood? Would my Mum and Dad have?"
"It's a little different." Ginny answered first. "I mean your parents were in danger here. I mean the Order put Harry's Aunt and Uncle into hiding. They could have tortured them to get you to stop fighting."
Ron nodded at her sister then looking back at his girlfriend. "You'll be seeing them in a few days. I know you miss them." He said pulling her into a hug.
Things in a Limo fell silent again, everyone thinking about Colin, and his family, how understanding his parents were of what must surely be a strange situation for them. Well they were silent until George clearly pushed a button that couldn't help but cause a few giggles when loud party music started and flashing multi coloured strobe lights were shinning on and off in their faces while George declared. "I want a car like this it's awesome."
The funeral went well at the church, well it went a lot better for Ginny and Harry after Hermione silenced Ron and George with the Silcencio Spell from asking anymore questions about the pews, the cross and were they really sure that the minister wasn't a wizard he was after all wearing robes even if he did have a strange white collar he still looked like a wizard. Harry found it odd that only 7 years ago he didn't know there was any such thing as the magical world he was so much a part of. Now he felt strange and out of place in the muggle world.
On arriving back at the burrow Hermione prepared to floo to the Ministry. Ron groaned and grumbled about it. Asking her what was so bad about little kids playing action figures with toys that looked like them. But decided he was going with her when she pointed out that they should have a say in it to make sure the toys represented them in a way they approved of and receive a percentage of all sales. Harry could have sworn he could almost see the dollar signs ringing up in Ron's head.
Harry certain hadn't had the heart to tell anyone what Kingley had told him about. How do you tell your friends that you are one of the richest wizards around, just because of the unfortunate circumstance that your parents and Godfather had passed on from this life.
The Burrow was busy with people again now that Bill and Fleur had returned to stay for the next few nights. Harry and Ginny ended up in her room to get away from everyone, they had started with the door closed but were thankful they weren't snogging when Molly opened it and declared it should stay open to let some air in. Ginny had groaned, and Harry just sniggered. They had only been talking after all while Ginny sat on the bed with her back resting on the wall and Harry lain down with his head resting in Ginny's lap. He was most enjoying the relaxing feeling of her hand playing with his hair slightly twisting her fingers in the short messy mass.
"Aren't parents strange?" She commented. "This morning Mum lectures me to make sure I don't end up a pregnant teenage witch, and this afternoon I'm still not allowed in a room with you and the door shut."
Harry smirked. "Your Mum probably just sees it as extra protection. Funny how they would possibly think we would want to do something like that with them all down stairs."
Ginny laughed. "I'm sure it would cool the mood slightly with if they could just walk in. But I am a witch after all. There's nothing stopping me from locking a door, and silencing the room. Mum just knows that's less likely if the door is open."
Harry laughed with her, then looked more serious, and turned slightly red in the face. "Can I admit something to you?" He asked suddenly feeling very shy.
Ginny smiled down at him. "Anything."
"I hadn't actually thought too much about, well that. Just getting back and being with you was all I wanted. But now….well I can't stop….thinking about it." Harry finished feeling very self conscious.
Ginny laughed out loud surprising Harry, and causing him to sit up. "I didn't think it was that funny." He grumbled turning even redder. "I mean I do love you, and I….I wouldn't ever push…"
Ginny pulled herself together, and smiled at Harry before leaning towards him, and giving him a good snog, being careful not to hurt his ribs. Pulling away she smiled looking very pleased with herself. While Harry's mind spun even more downward in its thoughts.
"Harry." She started, clearly trying not to laugh again. "You do realise that just proves beyond a doubt you're a normal teenage male. Savior of the Wizarding World or not."
Harry couldn't help but shrug his shoulders. "Just tell anyone else they think I have these super powers. I'm sure it would shock them to know I'm normal."
Ginny just smiled at him, before lying down on the bed this time and resting her head in Harry's lap. Harry couldn't help but smile down at her, and start playing with her beautiful ginger hair. Running his fingers through it, until she started giggling and he just rolled his eyes at her. "What now?" He asked.
"Just thinking about your fan club. All those girls. Wishing they could be here with you, probably dreaming that you would say something to them like you just said to me. I'm sure they would dream you weren't embarrassed and said it in a much deeper sexier voice though." She explained through her giggles.
Harry could feel his cheeks turning red again and didn't so much see the funny side. He didn't like the idea of young witches out there dreaming about him, or lusting after the photo that had been on the cover of Witch Weekly at all. It made him feel very uncomfortable. "Do you really think there would be people….thinking like that about me?" He asked feeling very self-conscious all of the sudden.
"Of course there are. I happen to know one of them extremely well indeed." Ginny smiled at him.
"Oh, ha, ha are you going to tell me now that Lavender has decided she's in love with me." Harry rolled his eyes.
"No." Ginny was giggling. "I was actually talking about myself. Hopefully I'm someone you don't mind having dreams about you. I know I have a very nice one last night. I just didn't realise that some of it just happened to be real." She finished turning slightly red herself.
Harry smiled at the thought. "I suppose I'm glad that somewhere in your mind you were aware of what you did. I didn't know what to think, I've never been kissed like that before, and you weren't even awake."
Ginny pulled herself up again. "Sorry I wasn't aware of it, maybe we could practice it now, and I could find out what I kiss like in my sleep?" She asked playfully.
Harry brushed some of her hair behind her ear with his hand. "I like the way you think, just go easy on me."
"Whatever Potter." She smirked at him before placing her hands on either side of his face, and bringing him towards her, till they were merely an inch apart. "I love you." She whispered before starting a kiss that sent Harry's mind reeling.
Please R&R