Chapter 4 - NEWTs and moving on

Six months later, Ginny woke up and groaned. She had had barely three hours of sleep and today was NEWT day. She had been up late trying to cram last minute facts in her head and now wondered if it had been worth it. Yawning, she got dressed and headed down to breakfast. She ate quickly, not really tasting much of it. She also gulped down a mug of the hideous coffee that some students liked. She preferred tea, but this morning she needed more caffeine. As everyone began to finish, Headmistress McGonagall stood to make an announcement. All seventh years were to exit the hall and wait outside for the exam area to be prepared. Everyone else could proceed on to classes. Ginny filed out and leaned against a wall while she began to mentally review a few last minute facts. Finally the head examiner called everyone in and she began what would be one of the longest days of her life.

Eight hours later, Ginny finished her last practical exam and settled in a waiting area to one side of the Great Hall. NEWTs, unlike OWLs, had their results presented on the same day. These tests even more than OWLs would determine career paths and were the official end of schooling at Hogwarts. Once the results were received, students would then know what jobs they were eligible to apply for and many would start interviews as early as the following week.

The results were given in private cubicles that had been set up at one end of the hall. Everyone was called alphabetically, which meant Ginny had a while to wait. She dozed off quickly and had to be shaken when her name was called. With her knees shaking just a bit, she proceeded to the examiner who had her results. Ten minutes later it was over. She had passed with nine NEWTs! Her parents would be thrilled. Only Percy had received more. Her test results would allow her a wide range of career options, although she hadn't yet decided what she really wanted to do.

With results in hand, she went to the Gryffindor tower to gather her things. The common room was full with everyone wishing the seventh years well as they proceeded to leave. With NEWTs complete there was no reason for them to stay for another week as the other classes finished finals. After collecting her trunk and broom, Ginny made her way down to Professor Flitwick's office. His fire had been temporarily attached to the floo network so that seventh years could return home quickly. When she arrived, Professor Flitwick wished her well and gestured to the fire. She held onto her trunk and, as Professor Flitwick threw the powder into the fire, she stepped in and said 'the Burrow'. Seconds later, she tumbled out into her parents' kitchen and was greeted with a loud cheer.

The room was packed. Everyone was there waiting for her. Her parents, all her brothers, Fleur with baby Victoire, Penelope, Hermione, Angelina, Alicia (who Ginny found out had recently started dating Charlie), and Harry. Her mother waited expectantly to one side and she handed over the parchment with her scores. Mrs. Weasley grabbed it and took a quick look. Then she screamed: NINE!, and rushed to hug her daughter. Everyone was congratulating her and the room was quite loud, but the only person she had eyes for was Harry. He took her in his arms, but she wanted more and she didn't care about their audience as she looked up and started kissing him deeply. The room quieted quickly and her brothers started to protest, but she just laughed at them. Mrs. Weasley took over then and pushed everyone out to the garden, where they had set up the tables for dinner.

Dinner was amazing as always and Mrs. Weasley had made Ginny's favorite chocolate mousse cake for dessert, but by the time she was finishing, Ginny was yawning. Mrs. Weasley immediately ordered her up to bed after the long day. Ginny really couldn't object, although she had hoped for some time with Harry. Seeming to read her mind, Harry followed her inside while everyone else began to clean up. He gave her a brief kiss, which turned into another yawn. Harry laughed and said goodnight. Ginny leaned close and whispered promises in his ear for the next evening that made him blush. Then she turned and went upstairs for some much overdue sleep.

The next day Ginny slept in until almost lunchtime. She hadn't done that in years, but at least she was finally feeling like herself again. She went downstairs, where Mrs. Weasley was waiting and immediately made her an early lunch. Mrs. Weasley inquired about her plans for the day and Ginny's only response was that she and Harry had a date that evening. Mrs. Weasley seemed to think that was an obvious choice, after all she hadn't seen Harry since the Easter holidays. Ginny was glad her mother's back was turned so that she didn't see Ginny blush as she remembered that she had actually seen Harry a month ago before the last countdown to NEWTs. Ginny blushed deeper as she remembered what she and Harry had been doing during that last visit. That reminded her, she needed to take her contraception potion and she needed to pick up more since this month's was her last.

Ginny spent the early afternoon helping her mother with some house chores and then went to see her father in his workshop. She helped him reorganize his Muggle tool collection while they talked. Soon he brought the subject around to Harry. He was in full father mode and concerned that she would be hurt again like she had been when Harry had broken up with her before. Ginny assured him that now that Voldemort was dead that Harry was never going to do that again and that she was quite sure he was the man for her. Mr. Weasley looked into his daughter's eyes and saw the love there. He wished her the best and hoped she was right.

By late afternoon, Ginny felt she had completed her daughterly duties and proceeded upstairs. She gathered up a bag that she had prepared with Hermione's help. It was much like the beaded bag Hermione had used on the horcrux hunt and it held much more than would seem possible. She packed an extra change of clothes and then took her last potion, throwing the empty bottle in the bag so that she didn't leave evidence lying around. Then she went downstairs and said goodbye to her parents. She hugged her mom tight and told her she loved her, then she apparated to Grimmauld Place. She hoped her mother would remember that when Ginny didn't return home that night and it became obvious where she was.

Harry was waiting for her when she arrived and they embraced passionately. She was ready to jump him right there in the foyer, but Harry gently pushed her back. He had plans for the evening that would certainly include what she had in mind, but first they were going to a concert and dinner.