Harry and Ginny: A Love Story
Chapter 15: Battle of Wills-The Second Round
Molly sat in the kitchen after Arthur had left for the Ministry, thinking hard about the conversation from the previous evening. Though she had reluctantly agreed last night to allow Ginny and Harry to sleep together, she found that in the morning light, it still seemed wrong to her.
Taking a deep breath she decided to make another try at getting Ginny to see what she thought was reason. Though not a religious woman, Molly considered herself a moral one and she couldn't in good conscious allow Ginny and Harry to sleep together till the bonding ceremony had taken place.
She only wanted what she considered the best for her daughter and if that didn't coincide with what others thought, well so be it, but as long as she had anything to do with the raising of the children, they would be raised correctly.
She heard people moving upstairs and from the sounds of it Ginny and Harry were awake. Steeling herself, Molly prepared herself for the coming confrontation, because if Ginny hadn't changed her mind, Molly knew she was in for another trying time.
Percy was the first person to come down for breakfast and Molly could tell by the way he was dressed, he'd be leaving for the Ministry right after he ate. She worried about him, his ambition was his biggest fault as far as Molly was concerned. Not that she thought all ambition was bad, but when it became an obsession like it had for Percy, she was sure that it would lead to nothing but trouble. He seemed ready to sacrifice anything and everything to get ahead at the Ministry.
"Good Morning, Mother," he said, rather formally.
"Good Morning, Percy," Molly replied. "Do you want some breakfast before you go?"
"Just some tea and toast. I don't want to be late, I'm supposed to find out today about the internship," he said, as he sat rigidly.
Molly poured his tea and started his toast and as she waited for it to get done, Ginny and Harry came down and joined them.
"Good morning Ginny, good morning Harry, Sleep well?" she asked pleasantly.
Ginny eyed her mother warily, "Yes mother," she replied a bit coldly.
"Quite well," Harry added softly.
Molly served Percy his toast and noticed he seemed to be trying his best not to acknowledge Ginny's and Harry's presence.
Ginny eyed him with a frown, she could tell that Percy didn't approve of her relationship with Harry but she didn't care what he thought, to her he was nothing but a stuck up prat.
The atmosphere was charged with tension and finally Percy stood up, leaving half his breakfast uneaten. "I must get going, Mother, I want to make a good impression by getting there a little early."
"Well good luck, Percy. I know how much it means to you," Molly said, giving him a thin smile.
Molly watched him leave and she hoped that he was able to learn that position and status weren't everything and that his family was very important too, she just hoped that it wasn't to late.
"Did you see that look Percy the Prat gave us?"
"Yes Ginny, I did. I guess he doesn't approve of me or our relationship," Harry sent back, his disappointment evident.
"I think it's more the relationship, he's never said anything against you but I know he has very strict ideas about what is appropriate," Ginny replied.
Harry was about to reply, when Molly came over and sat down. Ginny didn't like the look on her mothers face and she knew that they were about have another "discussion", as her mother would say.
"Harry, Ginny, I was hoping that now that you've had some time to think about things that you're ready to see things in a different light," Molly said, as affably as possible.
Harry heard Ginny take a deep breath, not so much to calm herself but to ready herself for the disagreement that was to come.
"Mother," Ginny said, her voice taking on an edge. "I see no reason to change my position. Harry and I are as good as married in the eyes of the Ministry so I see no reason that we can't share the same bed. For Godric's sake, we've told you we just do it to stop the nightmares. Do you really want us to suffer if we can prevent it?"
Molly looked troubled but no less determined. "I'm sure we can come up with an alternative to you two sleeping together," she said, her voice beginning to rise in volume.
"Oh and what might that be?" Ginny said, her voice rising to match her mothers.
"Maybe it would be best if you two saw a Mind Healer at St, Mungo's!" Molly said more as a statement than a suggestion.
"Oh is that how you see us?" Ginny said, bitterly. "Deranged just because we want to be together?"
Harry was silent, watching the exchange take place. It hurt him to see Molly and Ginny fighting but in his heart he knew that he and Ginny needed to be together. He knew instinctively that there was more to it than just combating the nightmares. He was sure that the Bond had much more to do with it and one of the results was the suppression of the bad dreams.
"Please Mrs. Weasley," he implored. "It's much more complicated than you think. It isn't just some whim of ours, can't you see that?" his eyes full of hurt and disappointment.
Molly looked exasperated, "No, I'm sorry, I can't say that I do. All I see is an eleven year old and a twelve year old saying that they need to sleep together. It just isn't proper. It will only lead to more complications later on." She then shook her head, "It's best to get this under control now, it will only be harder in the future," she said adamantly.
Ginny's anger was now just below the surface and Harry could feel it coming off his Bond-mate in waves. He was worried that something would happen, that Ginny would have some kind of episode of accidental magic, like he had experienced growing up. Things usually happened when he was scared, upset or angry, and if Ginny was anything at the moment, it was angry.
Harry also noticed that Ginny's eyes were beginning to fill with tears of frustration. She couldn't make her mother understand just how important this was to them and unless Molly understood that fact, there would be no resolution of the conflict.'
"I will not go to St. Mungo's!" Ginny stated emphatically. "Neither will Harry!" she added.
Even though he hadn't said anything, Ginny had stated just what he thought and believed. He believed that there was too much danger in allowing someone to go poking around inside his head. No, that was something he would fight tooth and nail to avoid and he'd fight just as hard to keep Ginny from under going the same thing.
"Ginny, please try and calm down," Harry sent, concerned for his Bond-mate. "I'm here and support you 100 percent. Together we can do this."
Harry felt Ginny relax some and she seemed to get a little better control over herself. "Thanks Harry, I don't know what I'd do with out you."
Harry just couldn't help himself, smiling he sent, "Without me, you wouldn't be having this fight with your mother."
Ginny looked at him as he smiled at her. She tried desperately to stop, but she couldn't and she began to giggle, and as she did, it triggered Harry. The next thing they knew, both were laughing at what he had said.
The problem was since it was through their Bond, Molly didn't hear it, "So you two think this is funny, do you?" she said, her anger getting the best of her.
"Well that's it, both of you go to your rooms, and I mean separate rooms. I know I can't keep you from speaking together, but I sure as hell can keep you apart!" Molly said emphatically.
Ginny got a shocked look on her face, and her anger returned in full force. "You just don't get it do you?" she yelled.
"What don't I get?" asked a bewildered Molly.
Ginny looked at her mother, pure hatred in her eyes, "If you don't know, I'm not going to explain it to you. You think you're so smart, figure it out!"
Molly was shocked by Ginny's outburst. She saw both Ginny and Harry looking at her with loathing in their eyes. Without another word, both got up and went upstairs to their rooms, knowing that Molly would be checking to see if they had complied with her punishment.
Once they got to the landing where their rooms were, Harry and Ginny hugged fiercely. They both then entered their respective rooms, Ginny slamming her door as hard as she could. She threw herself on her bed and immediately, called out to Harry.
"Well that went well!" she sent in frustration.
XX HP + GW XX
Fred and George were just coming down the stairs when Ginny slammed her door shut with a force that surprised the Twins. Looking at each other they knew that already this morning things were not going well in the Weasley household.
They tentatively entered the kitchen, looking warily at their Mother.
"Hey Mum, is it safe to come into the kitchen?" Fred asked.
"Yeah Mum, we heard Ginny slam her door and we thought the wall was gong to collapse," added George.
Molly took a deep breath, trying very hard not to let her anger at Ginny colour her interactions with her other children.
"I'm sure you're exaggerating," she said to George.
The Twins noticed how sad their mother sounded and they knew that things were not going well and that it was probably best to keep a low profile for a bit.
"Well maybe a bit Mum, but I've never heard a door slammed that hard, I'm surprised it's still standing," George said softly.
"Yeah Mum, I'm sure the walls were shaking," Fred added.
Molly took another deep breath, feeling totally frustrated with how things had gone. She knew she was going to have a problem with Arthur that night and she wasn't looking forward to that conversation.
"What would you like for breakfast boys," she asked, her voice laden with melancholy.
XX HP + GW XX
Hermione was laying in her room, totally bored. Sighing, she though how she just didn't seem to relate to her parents that much any more. She knew she still loved them, but they were growing apart more and more as she learned more about the magical world. She realized that most if not all prodigies and super smart people must feel the same way. They just didn't have as much in common any more and it was only going to get worse, the older she got and the more magic she learned.
She was also thinking hard about Harry and Ginny and how close they had become at the end of the year. Thinking about it, she knew that they had become exceedingly close from when Harry rescued Ginny from the Chamber, right up until they departed from King's Cross Station.
It was certainly a puzzle to Hermione, and the one thing she hated was an unfinished puzzle. She knew she wasn't going to get any answers if she stayed at home with her parents so coming to a decision, she took out a piece of parchment and began to write a note.
Dear Ron,
I was wondering how your summer was going. I'm totally bored here, I just can't seem to relate to my parents like I have in the past. It seems the deeper I become immersed in the Wizarding World, the further apart we become.
Have you heard from Harry yet? I didn't see his Muggle relatives arrive to pick him up. I certainly hope he's OK.
I was wondering if maybe I could come and stay at the Burrow for a while, I'd hate to get totally behind in magic and I think staying in a magical house-hold would be quite exciting.
Well I'm going to close now, the only way to post this is if I get my Dad to take me to Diagon Alley.
Sincerely,
Hermione
Getting up she made her way into the living-room to ask her parents for ride to London and the magical market.
"Hey Dad, do you think I can get a ride into London? I need to post something," Hermione said to her Dad.
Without tearing his eyes away from the telly, her farther answered lowly, "Sure thing princess."
Hermione sighed, "She hated to be called princess, it was something her dad had started when she was four. She had long ago out grown the game associated with his use of that term.
Returning to her room she started paging through her old textbooks, hoping that they would start some more complex and difficult magic.
Sighing once more, she knew she'd have to wait till the next day before she could send the owl and probably at least an other day before she could expect a reply. That was if Ron remembered to send it at all,
XX HP + GW XX
The day drug by for Harry and Ginny, while they could talk through their Bond they weren't allowed to see one another and though it was infinitely better than being sent to their rooms alone and not being able to talk at all, it wasn't like being together.
They passed the time by telling each other stories, mainly about their childhoods. Harry usually talking about some small thing that he had found to be interesting as opposed to Ginny, who had many more that were truly hilarious than Harry did. Both the Twins and Ron thought it was exceptionally odd when they went by Harry's and Ginny's rooms to hear them both laughing hysterically, each in their own room, across the hall from one another.
It wasn't till Arthur came home and Molly was getting dinner ready that the first signs of the discord arose.
Arthur had sat down at the table, enjoying a nice glass of ale while reading the Evening Prophet, when he asked "Molly dear, how did Ginny and Harry reacted to you telling them they were allowed to sleep together?"
Molly was at the stove and she hoped that Arthur would just think that she hadn't heard him and she made an effort to make as much noise as possible, while trying to sound like she really wasn't.
Arthur was by no means a stupid man and he could tell that Molly was specifically ignoring his question. "Molly dear, How did things go with Ginny and Harry?" he asked a bit louder.
Molly knew that she couldn't ignore her husband the second time, she would have had to have been stone deaf not to hear him.
"Well, I. . . .Ah, that is, you see I thought I'd give it one more try to, well you know, convince Ginny to see reason," Molly said lowly, feeling slightly guilty about changing her mind.
"Molly! Are you telling me that after last night's agreement you went ahead and told them they couldn't sleep together?" he asked incredulously.
Molly paused to drain the potatoes, before answering. "Well, yes, you could say that," she said rather sheepishly.
"Molly, what in the world got into you?" Arthur asked, disappointedly.
Molly sat down at the table, almost in tears. "I'm sorry, I just thought that maybe I could make them see reason," she said hesitantly.
Arthur sighed and slumped a little in his chair, "Where are they?" he asked softly.
"They're in their rooms," Molly answered contritely.
Arthur took a deep breath to keep his temper from flaring, "You're saying that you punished them by having them stay in their rooms all day, when you had agreed last night to allow them to be together?"
Molly could only nod, feeling to drained to even speak.
"I'm extremely disappointed Molly. How can we instil the proper values in our children if we don't follow them ourselves," he asked dejectedly.
"I'm sorry Arthur," Molly said softly, "I only did what I thought was right."
Arthur said a little hotly, "I just hope you haven't alienated our daughter and her Bond-mate in the mean time." He got up and carefully folded the paper, "Please finish getting dinner on the table, I'll get the children."
"Yes Arthur," Molly said quietly.
Arthur went up the stairs, going all the way to Ron's room first, "Come on Ron, Dinners ready," he said to his youngest son.
Ron was a bit surprised to see his Dad calling him down to dinner, it rarely happened any more but when it did, it usually didn't bode well for someone in the house.
"Yes, Dad," he said, getting up right away, not wishing to feel his fathers displeasure.
Arthur stopped next at the Twins room, "Come boys, dinner."
Fred and George could tell something was up right away, "Dad is there anything we can do to help?" George said.
"Yeah Dad, just say the word and we'll be right there," Fred added.
Arthur nodded, "Thanks boys, but this isn't something you can help with. Just try to keep Ron occupied after dinner."
"Sure thing Dad," Fred answered, with a concurring nod from George.
"Right then, down to dinner," he said quietly.
Fred and George exchanged worried looks, they had never seen their father like he was right now. As they all exited the room, they saw Percy come out of his room and head down to the kitchen.
Arthur watched the Twins descend down the stairs as he stood on the landing between Harry's and Ginny's doors. He knocked softly on Harry's door first.
He heard a soft "Come in."
Taking a deep breath, he opened the door to Harry's room. He could tell Harry was slightly surprised to see him.
"Harry would you please accompany me to talk to Ginny?" he asked quietly.
Harry could sense that something was different, that Arthur was being quite conciliatory in his attitude. He got up off his bed and nodded, "Sure thing Mr. Weasley," he replied.
Arthur flinched at his continued use of Mr. Weasley instead of Arthur. It hurt him that so soon after his coming to live at the Burrow, there was already a widening chasm between him and Harry and Ginny.
They exited into the hall where Arthur knocked softly on Ginny's door. He waited but received no response.
"Ginny, it's me and your Dad, please open up," Harry sent.
They heard a soft, even "Come in."
Arthur opened the door and saw Ginny laying on her bed, a defiant look upon her face, her anger smouldering just below the surface as she eyed her father.
Arthur motioned for Harry to sit down with Ginny, and waited patiently while he did so. He took another deep breath, this conversation was going to be difficult and he knew that Ginny was going to be adverse to listening. He just hoped she would.
"I want you two, to know that things haven't been easy for Molly and me in all of this. It may not seem it but both of us only want what we think is best for you two."
He saw Ginny about to respond vehemently, "Please know that sometimes what we think may not be in agreement," he said sadly. "Your mother has put me in a very difficult position and you two are suffering because of it."
Harry and Ginny were listening intently now, wondering where Arthur was going with his talk.
"For right now, I'm not going to tell you two that you're allowed to sleep together," He said quietly. When he saw Ginny about to say something again, he added, "But I'm not going to tell you, you can't either."
He saw the perplexed look on their faces, and giving them a wan smile he said, "All I ask is that you be discreet and not flaunt it in Molly's face. Do we understand one another?" he asked, hopefully.
Harry was glad he felt the anger draining from Ginny, and though she was still not 100 percent calm, she knew that her father was doing his best for them.
"Thank you Dad," she said softly, as she got up and hugged him.
Arthur smiled a little more, "OK, lets get down to dinner, before your brothers finish it off."
Ginny took Harry's hand and they went down to dinner together, feeling better than they had been, but they knew it was was an uneasy truce that was still very fragile.
XX HP + GW XX
Alastor Moody woke up and smiled, he knew it was about dinner time and he knew Rosmerta had to be down in the pub by now. He hadn't felt this good in a long time and he vowed that he wouldn't let as much time pass between visits ever again.
He got up and got dressed, starting with his wooden leg. Once it was firmly attached he stood and found himself looking at himself in a full length mirror. He grinned wryly, time and his profession had not been particularly kind to him. He had numerous scars and missing pieces, his leg being the most prominent.
He fleeting thought of his younger self, before age, dark wizards and hard living had been so hard on his body, because even though it was battered and bruised, he didn't regret one moment of his life.
Laughing at himself and shaking his head, he growled out, "Must be getting sentimental in me old age."
He finished getting dressed and headed down to the pub. Sure enough Rosmerta was busy working, filling drinks and food orders. She may have been a little past her prime in some men's eyes but Alastor thought she was magnificent. Not only was she a hard working, industrious inn owner, she was still a vivacious woman who was a delight to share a bed with.
He had once considered asking her to marry but decided it would be unfair to her. He was gone more than he was around and that was no way to have a relationship. He knew he was lucky to have what he did with her.
Alastor took a seat at his favourite table in the back of the room. Rosmerta was over in a moment with a pint of ale and a glass of Old Ogden's. "I'll have your dinner in a moment," she said with a smile.
"You're an angel among women," he rasped with a smile.
"Go on ya, I bet you say that to all the woman you bed," she teased.
"Aye, you're right in that," He said with a grin, but to himself he added, "You're the only one I bed lass."
Rosmerta laughed and with a shake of her head, she headed off to take care of another customer.
He watch her work the room, flirting with the customers, both male and female, all in harmless fun he knew. She flattered and teased the patrons, and virtually every repeat customer loved her fun, open personality.
"Alastor Moody, you bloody fool," he said lowly to himself, "If you could do it all over again, you'd make different choices." He smiled sadly, but with a shake of his head as Rosmerta brought his food he laughed and began eating with gusto.
Not being in any hurry, he tarried in the pub, watching Rosmerta. He loved the graceful way she moved around the room, and though she was what he considered a "mature" woman, she still had the look about her. It was the way she held herself, full of self-confidence, still with an inner beauty that overshadowed the lines that were being to show. Not for the last time did he wish he had made a different choice long ago.
The crowd had thinned and Rosmerta came over and sat down with him, "So how long you staying this time, my fine handsome man?" she asked with a smile.
Alastor laughed, "Keep that up and they'll put you away for sure. Have you taken a good look at me lately?"
"Yes I have," she replied, there was laughter in her reply but if you listened closely you could hear the sincerity underlying her words.
Taking a sip of his ale he said, "Unfortunately I need to make myself scarce for a little while," his voice thick with regret. "I wish you could come with me lass," he said soberly.
Rosmerta eyed him sadly, "I wish I could come with you too."
They fell silent for a moment, the words unsaid hanging between them, both knowing what the other wanted to say, both knowing that they wouldn't.
"Take care of yourself, Alastor Moody, and come back soon, ya hear!" she said emotionally.
"That I will lass, that I will," he replied, his gravely voice also full of emotion.
Though both seemed reluctant to leave, they rose together, Rosmerta giving him one last kiss, "Something to keep you warm on the road," she whispered.
Alastor nodded, and wrapping his cloak about his, he headed off into the night, taking that "fishing trip" he had told the others about.
XX HP + GW XX
Dinner was a strangely quiet affair at the Burrow, the tension in the air seemed ready to burst at any moment. None of the Weasley boys wanted to be the one to set off the explosion that could erupt at any moment, so it was a rather sombre meal that evening.
Even the Twins who usually did just about anything to break the tension and liven things up were very subdued, watching their parents carefully because they could tell that was the major source of the tension.
They were also watching Ginny and Harry, something seemed different with them too, but neither Fred nor George could figure out what it was. Ron was of course oblivious to it all as he ate with single-minded focus. Percy just acted like it was all beneath him and not worthy of his attention.
Harry and Ginny finished eating at virtually the exact same time. "May we be excused," Ginny asked softly.
Molly just nodded, never making eye contact with her daughter. Harry and Ginny rose, put their plates and utensils in the sink and quietly went back upstairs. They went back up to Harry's room where they lay down together on the bed, Ginny reading her trashy Muggle romance story and Harry reading a Wizarding mystery novel.
He had found a couple down in the parlour and was enthralled by the richness of the stories, giving him insight into the Magical World. He was sure some of it had to be exaggerated, but it still gave him the flavour and nuances that he was lacking because he grew up in the Muggle world.
They had kicked off their trainers, but other than that they were fully clothed. They had been up there reading for about an hour when Molly came up and said softly, "Lights out in 30 minutes."
Ginny looked up briefly and replied, "Yes Mum," before going back to her book. They heard Molly sigh as she lingered for a moment at the door, before heading back down the stairs.
"I'll come to your room tonight," Harry sent to Ginny.
"OK Harry, just wait till you're sure Mum and Dad have gone to bed," Ginny replied, never taking her face out of her book.
Harry closed his book after marking his place, and he snuggled into Ginny's side. As he nuzzled her neck Ginny began to giggle, "Stop that Harry, I'm trying to finish this chapter."
Harry didn't say anything, he just nuzzled a little deeper into the hair covering Ginny's neck and shoulder, breathing deeply, taking in her heady fragrance, letting it calm and sooth him as he lay tucked into her side.
Ginny rolled her eyes but kept on persevering, trying to finish the chapter she was reading. She found that even though Harry was now laying quietly, his breathing was moving her hair enough to tickle her neck.
Finally giving up she turned to him and playfully swatted his arm. "You're a prat, Harry Potter,"she said, though she couldn't hide the laughter in her voice.
Harry just hugged her closer and lost himself in Ginny's wonderful aroma. He knew he'd never tire of it and he found it both exhilarating and calming. To him, nothing would ever smell better than his Ginny.
Ginny glanced at the clock, and after giving Harry a hug, she rose from his bed. "Remember, wait till it's quiet before you come over," she sent with a smile.
"I'll remember," Harry replied, returning her smile in anticipation of sleeping in Ginny's arms again.
Ginny left and Harry changed. He lay down and turned out the light, listening to the sounds of the house. Slowly one by one he heard the people stop moving until the only sounds were the quiet creaks and moans of the house as it cooled from the hot sun.
Harry was just about to rise when he heard someone stealthily on the stairs. They came up to his and Ginny's landing. Feigning sleep, Harry lay very still and he heard his door creak open a little. Staying perfectly still, he heard the door close after a few seconds. He then heard Ginny's door open too.
Harry was sure it was Molly checking up on them, "Ginny, I think your Mum is checking on us," he sent softly.
"I know, I can hear her too," Ginny sent back.
In the stillness of the night, Harry heard the footsteps recede down the stairs and a door softly shut. He waited fifteen minutes before carefully rising and made his way quietly over to Ginny's room.
"I'm coming Ginny," he sent just as he was opening his door.
"I'm waiting," Ginny replied.
Softly and slowly Harry made his way to Ginny's door, since someone had checked, Ginny's door was closed all the way, so Harry had to take his time and carefully turn the nob before he could open the door.
He had just cracked the door open, when he heard a noise below him. He froze where he was and listened carefully. When he heard nothing else he opened the door just enough to allow him to slip inside. He then just as carefully shut the door, making sure that it was tightly closed.
Breathing a sigh of relief he made his way silently to Ginny's bed. In the dim moonlight he could see Ginny smiling at him as she held up the covers so he could slip into bed with her.
As soon as they touched it was as if they had gone to heaven. They both felt peaceful. calm and contented. Harry wrapped his arm around Ginny as she snuggled into his side, both feeling that they were where they were supposed to be and where they needed to be. It seemed like a matter of moments and they both drifted off to sleep, neither one being disturbed by bad dreams.
XX HP + GW XX
A/N: Surprise, surprise oh faithful readers, a double posting day! Molly can't seem to make up her mind, and it is causing havoc in the Weasley house-hold. Hopefully things will be straightened out before blood is shed. (Only Kidding) I'm fairly certain that it would never come to bloodshed.
To all you readers who are also reading Ties that Bind, I want to inform you that the last chapter of that story is going to under go a massive rewrite. I inadvertently married part of a chapter for this story in that chapter, making for a major plot line discrepancy and royally just mucking things up.
I beg you forgiveness, I am under a lot of strain due to personal problems and it is making it very hard to concentrate and keep things coherent. I beg your forgiveness and will try not to let it happen again, but I make no promises.
As always please review.