Wanting Something More:

Chapter Eighteen: Wanting Holiday

"So, instead of using house elves, there are spells to clean?" Brittany asked in wonderment.

"Why of course. You should have learned them in charms already." Molly responded as she smiled at the late riser.

"Ah, that's why." Brittany grimaced. "Charms is literally my worst subject. This will be another reason to keep practicing."

"For what?"

"No wizard wants a woman who can't cook and can't clean." Brittany admitted.

"You can't cook dearie?"

"Mother never let me learn, well Mother said it was improper. Father was the one who demanded I leave it to the 'help'. So anytime I've tried I make something similar to mush." Brittany looked slightly disheartened.

"Well then, you're going to be here for a few weeks, why don't you join me in cooking some meals and I'll teach you how to work a kitchen." Molly offered. "Poor girl, no wonder you've practically run away from home."

"You really mean it? That would be amazing." Brittany moved to hug the woman and then stopped short.

"Oh dearie," Molly hugged the still slightly nervous girl. "You need to relax. Fred and George have told me all about you. Let's try making some cookies then. I believe the boys and Ginny will be gone for a while. They are out in the field playing Quidditch."

Brittany chuckled. "I have a terrible Night owl habit. I was too nervous falling asleep last night. I was afraid I'd wake up at home, and that would be terrible."

"We'll your safe here. Now," She pulled out a frilly pink apron and smiled. "My little Ginny never wanted to learn how to make cookies either. Perhaps one day she'll use it, but for now you're going to put this own and be my helper."

"Thanks Mrs. Weasley." Brittany did not even bat an eyelash at the most girlish thing she'd ever worn in her life. "Let's make some cookies."

An hour or so passed as the two worked side by side. Brittany had even tried to make her own batch after she watched Molly make at least four batches beforehand. Her wand work needed serious work, but her batch came out only half burnt. Molly smiled at the girl who was somehow covered in batter and flour and smiled.

"You really were not kidding. I'm sure we'll get you into shape in no time. If our Harry needs anything it's a woman that can take care of him."

At this Brittany nearly drops the bowl she was moving to her ingredients for her second attempt at cookies. "Um, uh heh heh. So, you know about that huh?"

"Hermione may have mentioned something. Said you were so nervous last night you stayed awake until dawn."

"Yeah, um well. It's not exactly a normal situation. Heck it isn't even and unusual one. It's outlandish, and weird, and altogether messed up. I had noticed Harry, and might have even harbored some feelings before, but not enough to risk Malfoy's wrath. I also knew he was taken, or thought he still was. Even then I really did not feel comfortable going 'Hi Harry I kinda like you and my parents kinda suck, and Malfoy Really wants to marry me, and I really don't want to marry him, would you like to try and fall in love with me and help me escape this betrothal and piss him off to boot? Oh and make the most awkward love story ever? No, okay bye."

Molly kept silent and watched as the poor girl had herself a small breakdown. She continued. "Then everything kinda just happened and then there he was. I literally almost got a beating form Malfoy fan girls and he comes in all 'I'm Harry James Potter, Handsome on a Broom but while saving you're damsel butt I look dang good. Then he's all 'I've saved you and oh here's my arch rival. Oh you don't like my arch rival and he scares you and he's pissed you're hugging me for saving you? Piss off rival.'"

She blows a raspberry at this point. Molly has to bite in a chuckle. "'I saw the horrible thing you did so I'm going to piss you off by keeping her safe.' Then it's all catch up and my stupid Brother tells Harry that he thinks he should try and marry me or something asinine and blunt like that. Then Harry's all sure I'll give it a go and I'm all well I REALLY do like where this is going. Who can say no to a man who saves and promises to continue to save your own damsel butt on a regular basis? Then we're all spending time together because Malfoy's a rapey assclown and Harry's terrified he'll do to me what he did before when we were younger."

Brittany took a short breath before plowing forward. "Then we learn that we do have things in common we are bother wired awkward out of place people who happened to find all the other out of place weird misfit and made the biggest group of awesome misfit weirdos ever. And if all goes to plan I'm going to be married to Harry freaking Man whom I somehow fell in love with Potter and it's only been like three months and I'm losing my mind over how right this all feels. How can this be right happening like this? Love is supposed to be romantic simple soft and happy. Not a chaotic jumble of what in Merlin's beard if going on." Brittany took a breath and realized she was crying. "And all of it means nothing and everything because no matter what I do for the rest of my life I'll never deserve someone like him, and yet I'll have him by my side, because he cares about me and I love him."

Molly moved over to the now shaking girl and wrapped her in the tightest hug she could. She waved Ginny and Hermione to go and stall the boys. "Shh, it's alright now dearie. I am not sure who told you love was supposed to be simple? Love can sometimes be angry, love can be messy, love can be the hardest thing in the world. The fact that through all of this you've found it means something. Love never follows a path or guideline. Love is love and it will do what it wants how it wants when it wants and where it wants to do it."

Brittany looked up at Molly puffy eyed and snotty nosed. "But, none of the stories about love are ever this erratic."

"Poppy cock. The muggles have Romeo and Juliet a story of a love that was so powerful and messy a lot of people died, and it was quick too. Arthur tells me that muggles view it as the greatest love story ever told. They even teach it in their schools." Molly huffed.

"I would really rather not have my love cost people their lives." Brittany mumbled.

"Dearie it would not be you're love doing that. I hate to say it but you fell in love with the boy who is destined to fight Voldemort. Eventually this war will explode and people will die fighting for what they believe in. You two and you're feelings just happened."

"I also feel really badly because Fred and George had always made it seem like Harry was the son you've never had and you really wanted him and Ginny to be married." Brittany admitted sheepishly.

"You are right that I view Harry as a seventh son. I wanted him to be happy and if he and my only daughter were happy then I was over the moon for it. Sadly they we're not to be. I still view Harry as a son and if this means I just get a second daughter when he decides to marry then even better. I'll have another female amongst all these rowdy boys."

"So, you're not mad that Harry and Ginny aren't going to be married?" Brittany wondered.

"You worry too much. Besides Harry never does anything he doesn't want to, even if he likes to help others. He's far too stubborn. Now dry those tears and go wash up. We'll try doing dinner tomorrow. You should relax the rest of today. Now it's your first real day away from everything. Have some fun with the girls, that usually helps."

Brittany nodded and made her way upstairs. She gave a huge sigh of relief and nearly jumped when Ginny was able to sneak up behind her. "So it looks like we need to talk."

Hermione and Ginny winced when they heard Brittany. She was a mess. "I told you something was wrong. Scarlett and Seth warned me her staying awake until dawn was something she did when she was really stressed."

Hermione sighed and rubbed her temples. "I told Molly what was going on. She said she had a feeling that Brittany was going to explode at some point."

"I think I'm going to talk to her. She looked like a dementor sucked the happy right out of her." Ginny shivered.

"Don't even mention those things." Hermione grimaced.

"Mention what?" Ron asked while barreling over to his girlfriend.

"Brittany's attempt at cooking." Ginny supplied easily.

"Britt cooked us up something?" Fred and George smirked. "She must hate us all now."

"Why is that?" Harry worried.

"Britt's never had a good track record with cooking. She tried to make a roast or something and it ended up being some weird mush. She swore it moved like it had a life of it's own." Fred explained.

"She even said that is growled at her when she tried to spoon some to taste it. She called her brother to re kill it and then dispose of it." George finished.

"Yikes." Ron scrunched his nose. "Sorry Harry, looks like you'll be dead before the war if the future Mrs. can't cook."

"Ronald!" Hermione groaned. "Maybe her parents never let her learn, or someone sabotaged her. Malfoy was always at her place before with her brother. He could have done it to make her feel bad about herself."

Ron shut his mouth and glanced at Harry who shrugged. "Not the worst thing he's done if it's true. Besides Ron, I can cook. My aunt and uncle made me do all the cooking anyways."

"Yeah but she's a girl mate. She should at least know how to make something."

Ginny punched her brother in the stomach. "You better watch it. I don't know how to cook either because I've been avoiding mum's lessons. I'm going to wash up." Ginny then turned and began walking back towards the house.

Hermione glared at her boyfriend. "Sometimes Ron, you really just need to keep you're mouth shut. You were born without that filter that let's people know not to say stupid things." Hermione huffed.

"Yeah, Ronnykins needs to watch his foot."

"Before he shoves it in his mouth."

"Otherwise his girlfriend will put hers,"

"Right up his-"

"Enough." Hermione groaned. "Let's get you all hosed off in the yard and then go eat some cookies."

"Did Brittany make them, because I'm not eating them?" Fred questioned.

"Yeah, I would like to see my thirties." George added.

"I'm with them, if they won't try it it's poison."

"You're mother was helping her. I'm sure they're fine." Hermione sighed.

"I'll try them then." Harry grumbled.

"There's a good man. Trying his girlfriend's deadly cookies because he cares." George cheered.

"That's a good and brave soul that Harry Potter. How'd he die? Ol' Moldybutt get him?"

"Nah, his girlfriend tried to cook once and the stubborn fool tried them. He was gone before they got him to St. Mungo's."

"Piss off." Harry growled and stormed ahead. "She's been a nervous wreck since we got here. I'm going to eat those cookies and so is everyone else. Even if they are burnt cinders. She is my girlfriend and we are going to make her feel welcome and part of the family. You've had you're fun now you're going to literally eat your words.

"Sorry Harry." Two voices chorused, not truly apologetic as Brittany herself claimed her own failures in the kitchen.

"Hey, I wasn't being mean about it why do I have to get poisoned?" Ron groaned.

"Because you opened your mouth and said something you shouldn't have." Hermione responded. "I would have made you do it too. Maybe you'll learn to be a little more sensitive."

"Bloody hell." Ron whined.

"So, what do we need to talk about?"

"Apparently you are feeling insecure about things." Ginny pressed. "So we are going to sit in this bathroom and talk while we wash up."

"Great, you heard my little breakdown huh." Brittany blew a strand of flour batter hair out of her eyes.

"Yup, you sure were lucky Harry didn't hear it."

"Why?"

"He'd have misunderstood that in a heartbeat."

Brittany hung her head as they filled the tub. "You wanna go first? I might gunk up the tub."

"Sure." Ginny shrugged and got in the tub while Brittany sat on the bathroom counter.

"I know he would have misunderstood and probably have taken it the wrong way. I just exploded all the bad feelings out and the words just would not stop." Brittany groaned. "I really do care about him."

"Then stop doubting yourself. Who cares how you two found each other, be glad you did. I fell in love with him for all the wrong reasons. He was there always and he had always treated me special. I thought that meant we were supposed to be together. He never challenged me or made me feel passionate like he obviously does for you." Ginny explained while washing her hair.

"That's just it though, the classic story. I mean you and Harry just go together like-"

"You and Seth." Ginny shot out.

"Wait, what?" Brittany slipped off the counter slightly at that comment. "What do you mean?"

"You and Seth Black. Everyone in Slytherin paired you two together, Scarlett had Nix, and Serena had Gabriel, and you and Seth were the other pair."

"You didn't even know us then." Brittany pointed out, sliding off the counter to stand.

"We, and I mean myself and friends from my year noticed. Heather knew all of you and we kinda pieced things together. I mean the first real interaction Seth and I had he said he was willing to marry you to keep you from Malfoy. Not even Nix, your best friend offered to do that." Ginny offered as she rinsed her hair.

"Seriously, Seth and I are just really good friends. We've never dated nor considered it." Brittany laughed a little at the thought. "He's like a brother."

"That's how I feel about Harry. He just happened to swoop in at a time where he was recently single as was I. We rushed in to something and later realized it was a mistake."

"What does that have to do with me feeling unworthy?" Brittany took a seat on the closed lid of the toilet.

"The same thing that makes me feel insecure about the feelings I am beginning to have for Seth." Ginny then ducked under the water to rinse out the soap.

When she emerged Brittany held out a towel and then switched places with her. "So you might be returning Seth's feelings?" Brittany's eyes began to sparkle.

"Well, maybe. The point is, Seth and you have always been paired off together in your group. It's a little intimating that you two know each other so well and have spent years together both at school and during breaks. You two have been friends for six years."

"Yeah but the same goes for you and Harry." Brittany took a moment to rinse the shampoo from her hair. "So we are both worried about the same thing. Then we probably shouldn't be."

"I agree, but you also have to stop doubting Harry. It's not just you're own feelings, it's his that worry you." Ginny sagely pierced through the doubts.

"How?" Brittany began washing the flour from her body.

"The same thing happened to me. He cares so much about everyone it begins to be hard to know how important you are to him. Trust me he has the whole saving the world thing still left to do. You're also scared he's feeling things because he feels obligated to. That comes from knowing you." Ginny added.

"I worry about everyone else to."

"You also don't like causing them trouble or being a burden. Malfoy sure did a number on you. You act like you know what you've got going for you. The truth is you don't believe and of it anymore and Malfoy has worn you down to a little piece of your self."

Brittany's jaw hung open. "But, how can you?"

"I have six older brothers, I learned how to read people. You're heart knows what's going on, you're head is the one that is all messed up. You are thinking too much. If Harry did not want to do this anymore he'd tell you."

Brittany hung her head. "That's what I'm most afraid of."

"Then you should not be afraid. Harry needs you. Which may not mean he is fully in love with you, but he needs you. On the other side of that you need him, and I think you are the kind of person who always will need a white knight. You and him fit together, and Harry's too stubborn to let anyone change his mind. Even you. So stop worrying. You'll get wrinkles."

Brittany smiled a bit. "Why are you helping me so much, other than the fact that we are friends."

"Because you are going to do what I could not. You are going to love and cherish and take care of that man and become my sister. So I gave you some sisterly advice." Ginny smiled softly. "I've always wanted a sister."

"Me too Ginny." Brittany smiled brightly and was about to hug her before Ginny handed her a towel.

"Dry off first before you try and hug me. I just got dressed." Ginny cried out in mock horror. The two girls finished in the bathroom and then sat together on Ginny's bed.

"I wonder what everyone is up to now?" Brittany asked.

"Probably Wizards Chess, or hounding mum for lunch. I'll go see. You come down when you've got you're head back on straight. I'll let Harry know you're just fine."

"Thanks Ginny."

"You're Welcome Brittany."

Brittany sat in the middle of the bed and looked to the ceiling. She took a deep breath and flopped back. She spent a few minutes just breathing and staring at the ceiling trying to think about nothing. After a few tense moments Brittany began to feel her body and mind relax. She felt ready to face whatever was ahead. Brittany moved to go downstairs when she heard what sounded like muffled yelling. Fearing Malfoy had somehow arrived to take her away she contemplated hiding. After a few more angry muffles she worked up the courage to open the door.

"Damn it all Harry. You're risking you're life, everything for this girl. What do we really know about her. How do we even know we can trust her."

"Who the bloody hell are you to ask that? Why should you care who I spend my life with or for what reasons. You're not my father."

"No, but I'm the closest thing to a father you have since Sirius died!" Remus shouted.

There was a pause and something was said by a female voice and then the male, she determined was Remus replied and Harry said something back.

"Who says we can trust Snape. He killed Dumbledore! I don't care what he's said he's a murder and he's on his side not ours."

"I trust him and I trust her. He's been protecting me far longer than you've been around! He's always been there, you haven't!"

"Harry I think we need to take this outside."

"Fine lead the way!"

Brittany just shut the door and moved back to Ginny's bed. Great, I just got it all sorted and now this? Love is officially a jerk.

Just shortly before Ginny had made her way downstairs Remus and Tonks had arrived. They intended to stay the few days until Christmas and had a big surprise to reveal. Hugs and 'Happy Christmas' all around. Ginny smiled and found Harry and Remus catching up.

"Hey Harry, Brittany's fine. She's just washing up. She really did get coated in flour." Ginny smiled. Harry did seem to be frigidity.

"Oh good. I'm glad she's feeling alright. I was surprised she slept so long." Harry responded forgetting his pseudo uncle figure.

"You've got a girl up there Harry?" Remus was confused. Not only that but she is friends with Ginny?

"Yeah," Harry rubbed the back of his head.

"Well you should introduce us. Tell us a little about her. Tonks, Harry here has gone and found himself a girl."

Harry blushed and now felt really uncomfortable. Thanks Ginny. "Well I mean she's pretty alright I guess."

After about a minute of Harry saying nothing else Remus pressed. "Alright? That's all I get? Come on Harry, she must be something special if you brought her here."

"Why, should Harry not have come here, girlfriend or not? This has always been his home for as long as he wants it that way." Molly pipped up as she peeked in on the hungry boys awaiting lunch.

"No offense Molly I just meant with his past and all it might have been better to have her be with her own family. These are dangerous times." Remus replied.

"Which is exactly why she should be here it's safer." Molly retorted nodded her head like the conversation was over and then bustled her way back to the kitchen.

"Sorry about that. So what's her name?" Remus pressed for information.

"Brittany." Harry replied with ease. He was slowly getting annoyed at Remus' prodding and pushing.

"Well I heard that from Ginny, I meant what's her full name, who's her family?" Remus sighed.

"Why does that even matter?" Harry snapped, his voice harsh.

"Calm down Harry. I was just curious?"

"Oh really, is that why you insinuated that having her here with my ex was odd and that you wanted to know why I would do that?" Harry spat out. "Because frankly what I do with my personal life is no business of yours."

Remus reached out a hand to calm Harry, who shrugged it off. "Harry, I'm sorry. I just want to look out for you. With the war looming so close it's hard to know who to trust. You can't be too careful?"

Harry exploded. "What? Now you're accusing my girlfriend of being some undercover spy to kill me?"

"Harry now you're being unreasonable." Remus raised his voice.

"Not according to you. You want to know her name?" Harry shot back.

"Obviously if it was so important to hide in the first place." Remus growled standing and attempting to tower over the teen.

"Brittany Ann Zabini, female heir to the Zabini name." Harry smirked. Eat that one.

Remus took a moment to process that information before he exploded. "How is the bloody hell can you be so stupid Harry?"

"Stupid? I care about her, what's stupid about that?"

"She's a spy, or a plant. She's a Slytherin Harry. One whom if rumors are true is set to Marry Draco Malfoy at the end of this very School year. Malfoy who is intended to take over the Dark Lord's throne!"

"You have got to be joking! She's being forced into that arragned marriage by her father. She was able to convince her parents to let her out of it if she finds someone she loves before then. Well someone she can love who has money and power. Her father's a real piece of work."

"What makes you think she isn't? If Draco's set to marry her why do you think she ran into you? She's the Dark Lord's spy." Remus spit out with such force it flew onto Harry's face.

"I love her. She loves me. You don't know what is going on old man back off." Harry hissed.

"Damn it all Harry. You're risking you're life, everything for this girl. What do we really know about her. How do we even know we can trust her."

"Who the bloody hell are you to ask that? Why should you care who I spend my life with or for what reasons. You're not my father."

"No, but I'm the closest thing to a father you have since Sirius died!" Remus shouted.

"Remus, hun, stop. That's too far you need to calm down." Tonks tried to soothe her husband. "Harry's a smart boy he knows what he's doing."

"Yes, but he's also James' son. He's inherited his reckless streak. I have to look out for your best interests."

"Snape is well aware of what is happening Remus, just ask him if you think my judgment is off." Harry offered, rubbing his temples. He wanted a vacation and a familial fiasco.

"Who says we can trust Snape. He killed Dumbledore! I don't care what he's said he's a murder and he's on his side not ours."

"I trust him and I trust her. He's been protecting me far longer than you've been around! He's always been there, you haven't!"

"Harry I think we need to take this outside."

"Fine lead the way!" Harry shouted as he motioned for Remus to go outside.

"Harry listen-"

"No you listen old man! I love her. She has been used as Malfoy's personal punching back for years. She is truly terrified of him. More so than that she fears her friends are going to be used against her and she fears for their lives. I am going to marry her and save her from this. I need her and she needs me. You can either shut your mouth and pray she did not hear you, or go home now."

"Harry you're acting so irrational. You need to think."

"I am thinking. You've never really been here for me. You've been around the least in my life and at least when Sirius was on the run he sent letters or found a way. You just vanished, now that he's dead you've appeared. I don't like Snape, I think he's a right bastard, but he's always protected me. I trust his judgment on these things. So either ask him what is happening, or shut up about it. You are not my father and I am not him."

"Harry I just want what's best for you." Remus pleaded.

"Then sod off and let me do What I'm going to do."

"Harry, I'm not going to let you fall into some trap and wind up dead!" Remus shouted back.

"There is a very real possibility that I die in the war anyway!" Harry threw his fist into the side of the wall.

"Don't say that." Remus stepped towards him.

"Why? It's true. Neither can live while the other survives. She makes me want to fight and come back. She needs to be protected and I won't leave her defenseless. Who knows maybe she plays a part in all this and will help me. You aren't a seer Remus. If she's a traitor then, you know what no! You are not putting doubts in my head. She is home, she is my chance for a home and a family. You have yours and you won't take this away from me."

"Harry I-"

"Leave Remus. Take your pregnant wife home. You've done enough to sour this holiday. This may be our last Christmas and I will not spend it in doubt or afraid." Harry turned his back on him.

"Don't you turn your back on me James!"

"I am not my fucking father. He's dead because of Voldemort and I intend to avenge his and mother's death as well as all the pain that thing has caused. But he is dead. I am not him, I'm Harry and I'm going to do what I want to do. Not what my father would have wanted or you some friend of his who I honestly barely know. I value our friendship, but I am not anyone's puppet. You have no right to tell me what to do or how I should think. You lost that right when you disappeared."

"I'm sorry Harry, the order."

"Screw that. You can't hide behind the order because Sirius never did. He ran because he was hunted you a free man could have helped me and you abandoned me. I'm done fighting. Take your wife home and have a Happy Christmas." With that Harry stormed back into the house.

Remus was about to follow when Molly stormed up to him. "Stop right there!"

"Molly, you can't possibly agree. Put some sense into his head. Ginny is the only one that can be trusted."

"You damned paranoid fool. Harry is grown up, he's a man now. Once he's out of school he's an adult fully. I'll love him as a mother should, but I will never tell him how to live his life. I'll offer suggestions, and like any young man he'll take it or he won't."

"But I," Remus began.

"You need to let him go. James is gone and that man is not him."

"It's his son. It's the only thing left."

"Harry is not a thing, he's a person. He has feelings and free will. You better hope Tonks can teach you how to be a proper parent or in seventeen years this will happen again. Leave him be, if we thought he was in danger we would do something." Molly scolded.

"But you just can't see. She's a Slytherin."

"And you're a werewolf." Molly shot back. "Anyone on the outside looking in would cast you out first. You're more dangerous than that girl is. The poor girl is so in love and so afraid of being unworthy or taken from him she can't sleep. We've got this and we'll protect Harry. Go protect your wife and be safe."

With that Molly turned and walked back inside the burrow intent on hot chocolate and perhaps a little fire whiskey to loosen the tense nerves of the house. They were all old enough anyways.

Brittany nearly jumped out of her skin when Harry slammed the door to Ginny's room open. "Harry? Are you alright? I heard shouting and-"

Harry pulled her into his arms and kissed her lips with all the frustration and passion he had and let it flow into the kiss and out of him. After a few moments he pulled back and caressed her cheek. "Everything's fine now."

"You sure? It sounded pretty back. I don't want to cause problems with you're family." Brittany hung her head. "It seems I keep doing that though."

"I bet I'm causing some problems with your family as well." Harry smirked as he held her tighter. "Don't worry about it. Give it some time and it will all work out."

"One day I promise to make sure you're the happiest person alive." Brittany swore looking up at him.

Harry leaned down and pressed his lips to hers once more, but softly. "I already am. And that's my line."

"Says who?" Brittany huffed.

Harry just chuckled and pulled her closer and just held on. "Haven't you ever seen a Holiday Film? I'll have to show you someday."

"What does muggle film have to do with anything?" Brittany pulled her head back to look at him.

"Nothing Britt. Just, promise me you'll never leave me." Harry whispered.

"Well since we are sorta planning to be married that's the idea." Brittany teased.

Harry held her tighter, it almost hurt in it's desperation. "Promise me, please."

"I promise to never leave you Harry. I'll always be by your side, and you better stay by mine." Brittany responded with a smile.

"Deal." They sealed that promise with another soft kiss.

AN: Just as an FYI there is one more fluffy chapter and then the stuff is going to start hitting the fan. I've outlined it and we are looking at like ten maybe eleven more chapters. So get ready for things to get serious. Be sure to leave a review if you'd like. Thanks. Sadly updates are irregular but I plan on at least starting chapter nineteen tomorrow.