Hello everyone! Sorry for those people who have been reading since I first started posting the long breaks (and that long sentence XD). I'm trying to actually keep up with writing and letting everyone read everything but I'm not that organized. So, onto chapter 5!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything of this story it's all J.K. Rowling's.
Chapter 5:
Within weeks of the war ending everything had started to go back to normal. There was the pain of loss deep in everyone's hearts, relationships were patched up, people were coming out of hiding and reconnecting with their loved ones. Within a few days, Harry and the Weasley's had attended multiple funerals for the people they lost. But after they all passed by no one needed to think ahead to the depressing funerals they would need to go to. Throughout the weeks that the four friends shared, conflict was between them.
"Ronald, you need to go back to school with us!" Hermione said one night, while she was packing items in her beaded purse for her trip to Australia, where she would find her parents.
"I'm not going back. It's such a waste of time! I already know everything I need to know to live my life!" Ron was already furious with everyone badgering him for weeks non-stop.
"Mate, this year won't be the same without you." Harry was sitting on the floor with Hermione, handing her her items to pack.
"Thank you Harry. See Ron? You need to come back. And plus, without taking all of your N.E.W.T.s, you won't get a decent job anywhere." Ron glared at Harry and continued to argue.
"Maybe I'll just be a quidditch player! That would be good. I wouldn't need any freakin' N.E.W.T.s for that!" Hermione and Harry looked at each other, knowing that might not be able to get through to him.
"Ron, where would you even get a talent scout to come see you play? They would usually come to Hogwarts games to see the seventh years, remember?"
"I can ask Kingsley to put in a good word for me. For now I can work at George and Fre-" Ron stopped, suddenly looking depressed. "I'll work with George at the shop." He was talking quieter now, and sat down on the floor leaning against the wall.
"Ron, I'm sor-"
"No. I'm not going back. That's my final word Hermione." And with that, He got up and left the room.
The next day, Ron had gotten a job at George's store. He also came back to the Burrow with some news.
"I'm moving out." He announced at the dinner table. Mrs. Weasley dropped her fork.
"What?" She had gone pale and looked scared.
"Yes. I'm moving out. I've decided to go find a flat in London. This'll be good for me mum." Harry, Ginny, and Hermione looked at each other, knowing a fight was going to start.
"Ron, that's not a good idea. Right now you should really just stay at home and-"
"No." He cut her off. He stood up and looked angry. "The war is over. There's no one coming after me, Harry, Hermione, anyone. And if you don't remember, us three did quite fine on our own."
"Ron, I never felt safe without you here and now just weeks after the war is over you're telling me you're leaving again?" Mrs. Weasley had stood up also now, going red in the face and looking close to tears.
"Look mum, I'm 18 now. It's time I've left. I'm old enough to control my life now and I'm starting now." He glared at everyone at the dinner table, looked at his mother once more, and walked outside.
"Ron!" Hermione got up and ran after him. Harry looked at Ginny, who looked back at him. When he looked over at Mrs. Weasley, tears were streaming down her face. She then turned, and went upstairs.
"I can not believe how much of an ass my brother is!" Ginny said looking at Harry.
"Well, he is right. I mean, I was actually thinking of moving into my own place myself." He told her.
"What? Are you really telling me this after my twit brother said the same?"
"Well, I've been going through that paper work that I got from Gringotts, and I have seen some houses I want to look at." She huffed at him, looking defeated.
"How about before you talk about moving, we clean up dinner first?" They had cleaned the table off and were doing dishes when Hermione came in, upset.
"He just broke up with me." She sat down in a chair and burst into tears. Ginny looked at Harry, furious.
"Where did he go?" She asked. Hermione looked up.
"He said something about George's place. Why?" "Harry, Hermione, come with me." She led them outside where they all apparated to George's flat in London.
"Ginny, Harry, Hermione, why are you guys here?" George asked, surprised at the amount of visitors he was getting.
"Where is he?" Ginny asked, letting go of Harry's arm.
"Where is who, sis?" George asked defensively.
"You know who I'm talking about. And if you don't tell me where he is, I'll curse you everyday for a week!" She was fuming now, and George backed away and pointed down the hall. "Thank you." She turned and walked down said hall. George looked at Harry and a sniffling Hermione.
"What the bloody hell did Ron do to make her mad?" He looked at Harry, knowing he would say the truth.
"Well, first he told your mum off about moving out, and then he broke up with Hermione." Hermione had sat down in an armchair and started sniffling again.
"Git deserves whatever she does to him. He told me that mum said to get his life together, so he left." Harry rolled his eyes. "Well, let's just hope he doesn't upset Ginny too much." Within a minute of him saying that, Ron ran down the hall screaming while Ginny walked after him.
"Let's go. I hope he learnt his lesson." She grabbed Hermione and Harry's arms and they apparated back to the Burrow.
After that event had happened they hadn't heard from Ron for a few weeks. Hermione had left to Australia alone, refusing Harry and Ginny's offer to go along with her. Harry had started to take Ginny to look at all of the House's he currently had owned. George came around a few times to see how everyone was doing and to tell them about Ron.
"Did you get through to him?" Mr. Weasley asked in early June. "I don't think so dad. He sulks around the store a lot. He found his own place in Diagon Alley. I don't think he's doing too well though."
After looking at multplt houses that Ginny and Harry had gone to, he only had one house to look at left. They had gone a week or two after Hermione had left. As they apparated to the pathway, Harry sensed he liked the house immediately.
"Harry, it's beautiful!" Ginny said, happy about the little cottage that sat in front of them. It was on the outskirts of Godric's Hollow. While Harry had some bad past experiences in the town, he knew this was home. They walked up the flower lined path into the house. They explored the house together. He looked at Ginny as they walked into the kitchen area.
"Harry, I love this house! It would be such a perfect place for you to live." He looked at her and smiled.
"Well, don't you mean us?" She looked at him wide eyed. "What?"
"Well, I'm not proposing, but, I do love you. And right now, there's no doubt in my mind that I will." She ran over to him and kissed him. "I love you too Harry."
They arrived back at the Burrow after grabbing a late lunch, and Hermione was there.
"Hermione! you're back early!" Ginny had ran over to her friend and hugged her, happy to have another girl around again, even if she was alone for only a week or two.
"Yeah, I found my parents the first day. I got them packed up and moved back home. And, my dad also thanks you for cursing Ron." Ginny laughed at that last part. They had all talked and listened to Hermione's trip until dinner, where they moved there conversation to the table.
"So Harry, you went to go see that house today?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Yeah. It was really nice. And, I actually think that's my home." Hermione looked up from her plate to see Mrs. Weasley's opinion on his choice.
"That's great dear. Just please tell me you're going to wait until after you finish school to move in?" She looked uncertain, afraid about what had happened with Ron.
"Yes, I'm going to move in after the school year." She looked relieved.
Another month had passed and they hadn't heard from Ron. Hermione was going through emotional stress from it but Harry and Ginny had been keeping her busy and her mind off him. As Harry's 18th Birthday came around, Ginny had started to go into party planning mode.
"We're going to have a party for you, alright?" She had already been planning everything to be perfect.
"A small party, right?" He knew she knew he hated a lot of people making a fuss about him.
"Harry-" "No. A small party, okay?" She huffed and nodded, defeated. He smiled and gave her a kiss.
When his 18th Birthday party came around, Ginny had been really excited. She had invited the family, of course, and a few friends. Everyone had a good time, and laughed when Harry fussed about making such a big deal over him. About half way through the party, another guest had showed up.
"Hey mate." Ron said, tapping Harry on the shoulder. Harry turned around and looked surprised. He glanced over at Hermione who had turned away, tears in her eyes.
"Uh, Hey."
"Happy Birthday. I know I haven't been that good of a friend, but, yeah." He had known he had been the family outcast, but he knew Harry would forgive him.
"Well, maybe you should go talk to your other best friend and apologize for being such a git." Ron fidgeted nervously but went over to Hermione to patch things up. After the awkwardness went away with Ron being there, the party continued like it had been before.
After Ron made up for being a jerk to his sister, his mother, and his girlfriend, they all continued getting along like before. A few days later, they visited his tiny flat he had gotten.
"So, it's a little messy, but I like it." As they stepped inside, Harry had to contain his laughter at what Ron called "a little messy".
"Ron. This place is filthy! How do you even live in here?" Hermione exclaimed while everyone slightly inched into the flat.
"It's not that bad. Really!" He looked to Harry for help, but he put his hands up and backed a few steps up.
"God, you people act like its a trash dump." Ginny looked at him, astonished.
"That's what it looks like, Ronald!" She said, disgusted. Hermione had already started cleaning simple things with magic, and had Ron clean as much as he could the rest of the day. A few hours later, they sat on the couch that they found in the living room under dirty laundry and trash a few hours earlier.
"So Ron, are you sure you're not coming back to Hogwarts?" Harry asked, uncertain about his response.
"Yes Harry. I'm not going back. I have my own life to live." Harry dropped the matter there, and they all talked until Harry, Ginny, and Hermione had to leave.
A week later, the trio that was going back to Hogwarts got their letters and their school supplies list.
"I was made Head Girl!" Hermione exclaimed, ecstatic.
"Well, no doubt about that." Ginny said hugging her friend.
"I was made quidditch captain." Harry said, as it was his turn to get a hug from Ginny. They had made plans to go into Diagon Alley the following day.
They had woken up early, and headed out around 9, knowing that a lot more students would be there buying school supplies. They got new school robes, books, quills, and other necessities before meeting up with Ron to get lunch. They had all eaten and were walking around for a few last minute items when they passed Eeylops Owl Emporium. Harry had looked in through the window before looking at his friends and walking in. He walked passed all different types of owls, all in assorted colors.
"Hello sir, are you looking for an owl?" the store manager asked.
"Um yes, well maybe." He looked uncertainly at all of the screeching owls and turned back at the store manager.
"Have you ever had an owl before, sir?" He asked as Harry felt Ginny approach his side.
"Um yeah. A snowy owl. I got her here."
"Hmm. Snowy owl. Well, If you want another of the same breed, I have one you can look at. He's a small male. Baby still." The manager walked to the back part of the store to retrieve to owl as Ginny looked at Harry.
"Are you really going to get another owl? I mean even after..." She trailed her sentence off.
"Maybe. I mean, I want to." The store manager came back with the cage. Inside was a beautiful snowy owl, the tips of some feathers spotted black.
"When he first came in, the workers were calling him Phillip. But, he hasn't really responded to that name." The manager set the cage on the counter and opened it. The bird named "Phillip" hopped out and screeched. Harry looked at the manager.
"He doesn't look much like a Phillip." The manager let out a small laugh.
"What does he look like?" Harry thought about that.
"Well, Phillip isn't really an owls name. He would be more like a Snowstorm-owl." The owl looked at him, ruffled his feather and screeched quietly.
"Hmm, he seems to like you." The manager said, amused by the name.
"I think I'll take him." The manager smiled.
"Alright, I'll ring you up. I guess Phil- I mean, Snowstorm is going with you." Harry and Ginny walked out of the shop minutes later with Snowstorm in his cage. They all walked around a little more picking the last minute items before Ron headed home and the trio headed to the Burrow.
A few days later was Ginny's birthday, so Harry was the first one up. She had gotten up early also, and had walked downstairs to get a drink when she saw Harry sitting at the table reading the paper.
"Hello there Mister." She said playfully, tousling his hair slightly. He looked up and smiled.
"Good morning beautiful. Happy birthday also." She lent down and kissed him.
"Thank you. " She went to get a drink so Harry summoned his gift to her as she turned around. When she sat down she saw the flat rectangle box sitting in front of her. As she opened the box, Harry pushed the paper aside and smiled.
"Harry, it's beautiful. I mean, wow." She looked at the small deep emerald pendant on the silver chain. She picked it up, along with the matching earrings.
"Thank you so much, these are amazing." She leaned over and gave him a long kiss, which made him very happy also.
"Just wanted to make sure my girl looked good when we go out tonight." Ginny looked at him and laughed.
"Oh, and the second part of your gift is sitting on your bed, I had help from Hermione with it." She laughed and kissed him again.
"I love you Harry."
"I love you too, Ginny." After he helped her put the necklace on, they both made breakfast, which made everyone in the house get up.
"Good morning Ginny, Happy birthday." Hermione said, hugging her friend as she came into the kitchen. "Did Harry get you that?" she asked, admiring it.
"Yeah, he also got me matching earrings." Ginny and Hermione talked for a little bit with Harry until Mr. and Mrs. Weasley came down to eat. The rest of the day was all fun for them, and Ron also came over to wish Ginny a happy birthday. They had a late birthday lunch, and then Ginny went upstairs to get ready to go out with Harry. He had gotten her a stunning black dress that complimented her hair, and her new jewelry.
"Now, you two be back before 2 am, okay?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"I'll make sure we get home before then." Mr. Weasley looked at Harry seriously.
"You make sure of that." Ginny laughed.
"Dad, it's Harry. He'll make sure I'm safe." They said goodbye and headed out to the restaurant that Harry had reserved in London. They ate a fantastic meal, and then headed out to a dance club a few blocks away from the restaurant. They danced the night away, or at least until 2 am, when they returned home to the Burrow.
"Harry, thanks for giving me the best birthday ever." She said to him, as they were snuggled on the sofa in the living room.
"I have another present for you." He said, as he looked into her eyes.
"Really? can I open it now?" she asked excitedly. Harry laughed as he pulled a tiny black box from out of nowhere.
"Ginny, this isn't an engagement ring. It's a promise ring. I'm saying that I promise to love you and make your life the best it can be. I love you Ginny Weasley." She looked up at him and down at the ring that was embezzled with precious stones.
"I love you Harry." She leaned up, and kissed him, rocking his world.
The next morning, Harry woke up to Ginny in his arms. They were still laying on the couch. He could also hear someone moving around in the kitchen, cooking breakfast.
"Good morning Harry." Said a tired Ginny, waking up from her sleep.
"Good morning." He leaned down and kissed her before getting up and walking into the kitchen.
"Good morning Harry. I hope you and Ginny had a good night." Mrs. Weasley turned and smiled at him and her daughter as they walked into the kitchen. Harry poured himself a cup of coffee before sitting down at the table, opening the paper that had just come in.
"Whoa. "Boy Who Lives on Dates, Mystery Girl Confirmed." Ginny grabbed the paper out of his hands
"Our Hero seen romancing a stranger, full story on page 6." Harry looked at Ginny as she read, drinking his coffee."
"Hmm. Guess who it's by. Rita Skeeter." She tossed the paper down as Hermione came into the kitchen.
"Good morning everyone. Ginny, what were you saying about Rita Skeeter."
"Read for yourself." She huffed, standing up to help her mother with breakfast. As Hermione and Harry skimmed through the article, Mr. Weasley came down the stairs.
"Good Morning everyone. Harry, I hope you brought Ginny home okay." Harry glanced up and nodded absent mindedly before going back to reading.
"Well, it isn't that bad." Hermione said, looking at Ginny.
"Yeah, she called you pretty a few times, and this photo they have of you is good." Harry said, trying to lighten Ginny's mood.
"Hmm. What else did she say about us?" She asked, frying up bacon.
"You don't really need to know." Hermione said, frowning at the paper. She tossed it down on the table where Mr. Weasley picked it up.
"I thought Skeeter would be over writing articles like that." Mrs. Weasley said, frowning.
"Uh, Harry, did you read this last part?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"What's it say?" Harry took another sip of his coffee.
"Rita Skeeter will be including this in her new book, "The Boy Who Lived, Unmasked". The entire life biography by Rita Skeeter." Harry coughed of his coffee.
"Excuse me?"
"Harry, don't let it get to you. Everything that women writes or says is complete crap." Hermione said, miffed about Rita trash talking her friends again. Everyone sat down at the table and was eating breakfast when Ron came in, holding the morning paper.
"Ginny Weasley has been known for crushing on Potter for years, and has even seduced him with love potions? Is that Rita bitch crazy?" Ran practically shouted. Ginny's eyes flashed with anger.
"Nice choice of words Ron. We were trying to keep those parts of the article away from Ginny so she won't go and murder someone." Harry said, drinking a second cup of coffee.
"It's complete crap Ginny. Just remember that." Hermione said, seeing her friends rage.
"You're right. I'm not gonna let it get to me." Ginny said, calming down.
"Ginny?" Ron asked, eyeing her finger.
"Yes Ron?" Ginny said, trying to keep her composure.
"Who gave you that ring?" He asked, looking at Harry. Hermione looked away, giggling at Ron's big-brotherly-ness.
"Uh Harry did. It was a birthday present." Harry looked away, knowing Ron would confront him.
"Harry, is that an engagement ring?" Mrs. and Mr. Weasley looked up, and looked at Ron, Harry and Ginny.
"Before you lose it Ron, that is not an engagement ring." Ron looked at his parents, to Harry,and then to Ginny.
"Well then, I'm gonna have some breakfast if you guys don't mind." Everyone started to laugh and started to eat, and talked about everything but the article.
Harry, Ginny, and Hermione were very busy the last few weeks they had before going back to school. Hermione was trying to spend as much time as she could with Ron, and Harry and Ginny were doing the same. The night before they went back, Mrs. Weasley invited the whole family over, like she did every year before the kids went back. This year was different. There was less people, and there wasn't the fear of Voldemort coming after them. But she still got tears in here eyes knowing that they were grown up, and this would be the last time they would be going back.