Chapter 3 - Ginny
-Twenty four hours later—
The battle was over and miraculously they had won. Voldemort was dead. The trio was triumphant, but not without great loss. Fred, Lupin and Tonks were all gone, as well as a number of other students and friends. Ron stood with Harry, Hermione and Ginny in a cluster near his parents, looking down on the sheet covering Fred. Ron's emotions rolled through him, mixing with Harry and Hermione's. Hermione clutched Ron, trying to control her own emotions and comfort him. Harry had one arm around Ron and the other around a quietly sobbing Ginny. She had been distraught when Hagrid carried Harry's limp body out of the forest. Ron and Hermione had not been disturbed like everyone else. They could feel Harry's emotions still and knew that he was just biding his time. There had been a brief bit of time, about ten minutes, when his touch had left them. They had cowered in a stairwell, clutching each other in the despair and emptiness left behind when Harry's touch went missing. Then he had returned, his emotions turbulent but strong. It was a few minutes later that Voldemort and his Death Eaters emerged from the forest, prodding Hagrid as he carried his burden. Ginny had tried to run for him, but Ron held his sister back, knowing what she did not. Now that it was over, she refused to let go of Harry.
Harry's emotions were even more turbulent than before. Before he had a goal, a target and a focus. Now he was drifting. Added to that was the all-encompassing grief. Then there was Ginny. She felt good at his side and he felt deeply for her, but it was nothing like the connection he, Ron and Hermione shared. He would have to resolve their status soon, but he wasn't sure how.
Professor McGonagall soon joined the Weasley family and suggested that they rest in Gryffindor tower for the rest of the night. The healers needed space to finish their work. Arthur gathered his wife and all the Weasley siblings followed as they made their way to the tower. Once they entered the common room, Bill and Charlie took George to the first years' dorm and settled him with a sleeping draught. Hermione wanted nothing more than to be with her soulmates and her need radiated to them. Harry still had to settle things with Ginny, but he didn't have the energy to do that tonight. He pulled himself back from Ginny and planted a kiss on her forehead.
"Ginny, the three of us need some time to talk over a few things. I'll see you in the morning and we'll talk."
Ginny sniffled and nodded. She desperately wanted to follow Harry, but knew that he needed time. He turned and took Ron and Hermione's hands as they made their way to the sixth years' floor and the last dorm Ron and Harry had occupied. They sat on a bed and Ron hugged Harry, feeling his conflicting emotions. Then Harry looked in both his and Hermione's eyes and he felt an immense pride in what they had accomplished. Had it only been a day since they had left the cottage on the way to break into Gringotts? Harry smiled at them both, then he thought of Ginny and his smile waned. Hermione tightened her grip on his hand.
"Harry, it's Ginny isn't it?"
"Yes Hermione. I missed her so much and it's great to see her again. I loved feeling her next to me, but we don't have the same soul bond as the three of us. What am I going to do? I want us and I want her."
"Harry, I feel your heart and I know how much you love Ron and me. But, what I feel from you is not the same as what I feel from Ron. Do you understand?"
"Yes Hermione. I love you in a way that I can never explain, but Ron's love for you towers above even that. The two of you were fated for each other. I know that. That's why I let him be your first, to take the gift you were offering."
Ron leaned over and kissed Harry, clutching him tight and letting his love flow into Harry before he spoke.
"Harry, I think you love my sister much how I loved Hermione before the manor. After the manor everything intensified between us, but I've loved her for years. I was just too stupid to admit it. I don't think you should give up a chance with her for us. You wouldn't be happy and we would know it."
"But how Ron?"
"Well, the first thing you should do is talk to her. Explain what happened at the manor and after. Explain our connection. She is a very understanding woman and she loves you. Perhaps the two of you can find a way to be together without needing to separate you from us."
"I suppose Hermione. I guess I need to talk to her. I can't leave you two, even if what we share is second to you and Ron."
Harry hung his head, but Hermione pulled him up. She kissed him passionately and then Ron joined, kissing down Harry's neck. Soon clothes started to scatter as Hermione drew her wand and cast several quick spells. Despite their exhaustion, the trio fell into the expanded bed and were soon moaning as they pleasured each other. Ron took Hermione first, positioned over the top of her as Harry fingered her clit with one hand and stroked himself with the other. Then Hermione rolled, forcing Ron to the side. Ron scooted and soon Hermione was on top of him. As she gradually settled onto him, she leaned forward and reached back to spread her cheeks. Harry felt her desire and quickly lubed himself. Hermione grew still, waiting for his entry, and Ron began thrusting up into her. Harry took the invitation and slowly pushed into her second hole. Ron gave a large thrust and caused Harry to sink in completely. Hermione gave a small squeak and then began moving against Ron. Harry felt Ron's rhythm and soon matched it. Hermione's brief pain soon passed as pleasure overtook her. She came three times, barely coming down from one high before another hit her. Then Harry grunted and jerked, filling her from behind. Seeing Harry come, Ron finally released himself into his love. As he and Harry withdrew with a bit of reluctance, the fluids of their endeavors poured out of her in both directions. Harry leaned over and kissed Ron passionately as he each shared the last flare of their mutual orgasms. Harry wanted him, but the events of the day finally took their toll. Completely exhausted in every way possible, the trio fell asleep immediately.
A few hours later, they were awakened by the sound of someone crying. Hermione was the first to realize who was standing by the bed. It was Ginny. Harry and Ron woke quickly and Harry met Ginny's eyes as her tears briefly ceased and she looked at them.
"Alright, I see how things are. I suppose you all went through a lot together. I won't stand in the way."
Ginny turned to leave and Hermione quickly grabbed her wand, casting a shield across the doorway and blocking her exit. Ginny turned, furious, and lashed at Hermione.
"Really? Let me go Hermione. You should be happy. You've got them both. Please, don't make me witness anymore."
"No Ginny, I can't let you go. We need to talk to you. I'm sorry you caught us like this. Harry wanted to talk to you this morning. Now we'll all explain."
The trio climbed off the bed and Hermione found her beaded bag that she had tied to her body, under her sweater during the battle. Digging in it, she extracted clothes for all of them. Ginny seemed briefly amazed at what the bag could hold and then her face resolved back to anger. Once they were dressed, Ron casually waved his wand and three trunks slid across the room, offering themselves as seats. Ginny reluctantly took the offered seat and stared at her brother and his lovers. Harry started to explain what happened at Malfoy manor and how something in the elemental magic had fused a bond between them. Then Ron spoke, explaining his feelings for Harry and how they differed from what he felt for Hermione. Then Hermione took her turn and explained her bond with each of them, how it was the same, but different. Finally, Harry spoke again and choked as he tried to find the words needed.
"Ginny, I love you. Yes, I know you find that hard to believe, but I've loved you for a couple years. I hated leaving you behind, but it had to be done. I've spent hours dreaming of what it would be like to come back to you after we defeated Voldemort. Then everything at the manor happened and suddenly I wasn't sure. When you came into my arms after the battle, I was thrilled and troubled. I desperately want to be with you still, but I cannot give up on my bond with Ron and Hermione. I don't know what can be done, but we've talked enough. This is now up to you."
Ginny sat, completely drained and confused by everything she had heard. She loved Harry so much. She had waited so long for him, worrying about him constantly. Now how was she supposed to take this? She gathered her thoughts, as she tried to respond.
"I just don't know what to say. I wish I could understand this bond you talk about. Harry, I love you, but this is all a bit much after everything else we've been through."
"Actually, Ginny, maybe there is a way to show you a bit of what the three of us have now. There is a reverse spell for legilimency. It allows a caster to take their thoughts and focus them at someone. I think Ron could do it, if he agrees."
"Alright Hermione, I'll do it. I'd do anything for Ginny. Please teach me the spell."
Hermione briefly schooled Ron and then he raised his wand and turned it to himself. He looked at Hermione and then at Harry and felt their love and support. He smiled at each of them and then cast legilimens inverto at himself. A small golden thread appeared between his chest and the wand. Then he turned the wand to Ginny and the thread extended to her. Suddenly Ginny felt Ron's emotions and saw his thoughts. He was devastated by Fred's death, worried about their parents, wondered if the Burrow was safe to return to, unsure about the future from this point forward, and finally very worried about Harry and Ginny. The emotions were even stronger, she felt an impossibly deep and passionate love when he looked at Hermione. Then she felt his deep soul bonding love to Harry. Finally, he felt his protective love over her. Suddenly she looked at the three of them and knew that there was no way they could ever be separated. If she was only feeling a small amount of what Ron, Harry and Hermione felt, then her objections were done. Finally the spell broke and Ginny collapsed off the trunk and fell to her knees. Each of the trio rushed forward and lifted her up, holding her. When she finally settled, she looked at Harry.
"I understand Harry. I can't believe the bond the three of you have and I won't stand in the way, but can I ask for something?"
"Anything Ginny."
"Kiss me."
Harry smiled and gently began to kiss her. Then the kiss deepened and Ron and Hermione smiled as they felt Harry pour his love into the kiss. When Harry and Ginny finally separated, gasping for air, Ginny's choice was made.
"Wow. That decided me Harry. I love you too much to give you up. If you want to try being together, then I'll accept that you are also bonded to Ron and Hermione."
"What? Gods Ginny, thank you, thank you. I'll do everything I can to make you happy and I promise to be completely honest with you."
"Thank you Harry. To start this honesty, I have to ask. The three of you didn't just fall asleep together last night did you?"
"No Ginny. We were so emotional and we needed each other. We made love, the three of us. It was our second time."
Ginny took a moment to absorb that. "Alright Harry, I suppose I understand, and I guess you will want to make love with the three of you in the future?"
"Yes Ginny. Ron will be with Hermione more, but I can't give up our loving completely."
"Okay, I'm going to try to accept that. It may take me some time to adjust. I ask only two things. One, never feel that you need to sneak around. If you need time with the three of you, tell me. Second, I know this is something for years in the future, but I ask that you take all precautions and never impregnate Hermione."
"Well, that's certainly way in the future, but I agree Ginny. Thank you for giving us a chance."
"Yes, thank you Ginny. We all love you."
Harry took Ginny in his arms and kissed her for several minutes. Each was so involved in each other, they didn't feel when Ron and Hermione linked their arms in a protective circle around them. Eventually Harry separated from Ginny and they all made their way downstairs to the common room and their first steps to a new life.