Harry and Ginny: A Love Story

Chapter 19: Feeling Lucky Kid?

It was after dinner and Ron came across Hermione back at the kitchen table and she looked like she was doing an essay. Wondering what she could possibly be doing, he sat down beside her and glanced at the heading.

"The Magical and Muggle Worlds, more alike that you'd think"

Ron was really bewildered, "What are you writing Hermione?" he asked.

Hermione beamed at him, "It's for an essay contest the Daily Prophet is running."

Ron rolled his eyes, "Why in the world would you want to write an essay over the summer if you didn't have to?" he asked, bewilderedly.

Hermione got a rather smug look on her face, "Well, it really helps to keep your writing skills polished over the summer. . . "

Ron rolled his eyes again.

". . . .and it doesn't hurt that there is a 100 Galleon prize."

Suddenly Ron was very interested, "100 Galleons," he managed to squeak out, sounding very comical.

Hermione couldn't help but laugh at Ron, even he started laughing too after a moment. He was just glad the Twins hadn't heard or they would have been taking the mickey out on him for ages.

"So, a little more interested now, aren't you?" Hermione said with a knowing smile.

Ron could see the smug look in Hermione's eyes, "So," he said a bit defensively.

"Ron, don't be so defensive, I'm only trying to help," Hermione said a bit sadly. She hated that just because she was trying to help him be better at something, that he resented it.

Ron nodded, his enthusiastic look returning, "So what do you need to write about?" he asked.

Hermione pulled out a copy of the Prophet that was folded over to an inside page. "Here are the rules, this contest is fairly easy really, as there is no assigned topic. You just pick something to write about."

Ron looked bewildered, he had never just written anything on his own like that, the only essays he ever did were for school and a particular class. "Like what?" he asked.

Hermione was going to make a flippant remark, but then saw the genuine confusion on his face. "Well, it's usually best to write about something you know and really like. That way you're likely to write from the heart, letting the judges know that you really care and are interested in the subject. So what do you like the most?"

Ron began to open his mouth when Hermione smirked and said, "Besides food."

"Ha, ha , ha, Miss Smarty-pants," he said, but surprisingly with little rancour. He looked thoughtful for a moment, "I guess the two things I like the most are Quidditch and Chess."

"Great," said Hermione, "Which one do you think you could write something exciting and thought provoking on?"

Ron didn't hardly hesitate, "I'd say Quidditch, I mean Chess can be really though provoking but I'd hardly say it was really exciting."

"Good, now you need to narrow it down. Some way to make it different and interesting, virtually everybody knows about Quidditch, what do you know or think about it that would be something that might interest others. Something that would make them look at it in a new way."

Ron got really thoughtful, his brow furrowing, though he thought all this was a lot of hard work, the thoughts of 100 Galleons was a pretty powerful incentive.

Frustrated he looked at Hermione, "Can you give me a little help here?" he asked.

"Well, what makes you different than the average person when it comes to Quidditch?" Hermione asked.

Ron gave a little laugh, "I guess the fact that I'm a Chudley Cannon's fan."

"And why does that make you unusual?" Hermione prompted, see the light go on inn Ron's eyes.

"Well I guess it's because they have the longest losing streak in history," he replied.

"There you go, write about why you're still a fan even though the rarely win."

"Rarely! Didn't you hear me Hermione, longest losing streak, they never win," Ron said with a shrug.

"Then why are you still a fan?" Hermione asked softly, hoping to bring out what she knew was there.

"They're my team, Hermione. Yeah, I wish they'd win, but they're still my team even if they don't," Ron stated matter-of-factually.

"That's right Ron, Loyalty. Write it from that perspective, show the judges what a truly loyal fan is."

Ron looked happy, but a determined light shone in his eyes, "Hermione, can I borrow a roll of parchment?"

"Sure Ron," she said happily, digging in her bag for another piece.

Ron went to the cupboard at the end of the kitchen where Molly kept an assortment of stuff and he came back with a quill and a bottle of ink. He sat down and looking thoughtful for a moment wrote across the top, "The Chudley Cannons, My Team, Win or Lose!"

Hermione smiled at Ron as he began to write, she saw him take on such a look of passion that she had never seen in him before. He wrote deliberately, never hesitating, letting his thoughts flow out and onto the parchment. Feeling very satisfied, she turned back to her own essay and began to write.

It was a bit later when Molly came out of the Parlour and was surprised to see Ron with Hermione at the table. Well not surprised he was with her, but surprised because he was writing an essay.

Her motion drew Hermione's eye and she looked at Molly and smiled. Molly nodded in Ron's direction, smiling in approval of what Hermione had accomplished. Molly refreshed her tea and went back into the Parlour, happy that Hermione had gotten Ron interested in doing something useful over the summer.

Towards Nine o'clock, Molly returned and was happy that Ron was still working diligently. "Would you two like some snacks and something to drink?" she asked softly.

Ron barely looked up, "Sure Mum, that would be great," he said, before turning back to his essay.

Molly's eyebrow shot up in wonder and Hermione just gave a shrug as she smiled. Molly nodded in approval and began to put together a plate of snacks.

It was close to ten when Molly returned to make sure everything was set for the morning before heading off to bed. She was just finishing up when Ron set his quill down with a sigh, a satisfying look on his face.

"May I see it?" Hermione asked.

At first Ron seemed hesitant, but he finally relented, looking bashful, "I hope it's okay," he said hesitantly, "after all it is my first attempt."

Hermione was reading down the page and Ron hard a hard time reading her face. She looked deep in thought, nit smiling at what he had written like he had hoped. As she reached the bottom, he said softly, "Well, is it okay?"

Hermione looked up at him with a shocked look on her face and Ron was expecting her to tear his work apart. Instead she said awestruck, "Okay? Ron this is fabulous. This is what I wish I could get you to do for school."

Molly heard Hermione's praise, "May I read it, Ronald?" she asked gently.

Again, very hesitantly he agreed, handing over the parchment to his mother. Once again with some trepidation, he watch as she read his essay.

When she was done, she smiled up at Ron, "I agree with Hermione, Ron. This is excellently done. I'm proud of you, even if you don't win the contest."

Ron just snorted, "Yeah like I really have a chance with Hermione entering."

"Ron, don't think like that, this isn't for a grade, it's being able to appeal to the judges and trust me, I really think you have a good chance, as good as if not better than I do," Hermione said sincerely.

Ron smiled and just shrugged, thinking "Yeah, the 100 Galleons would be great, but it's amazing, I really enjoyed doing that. Plus Mum was really pleased."

Molly smiled at the two children, "All right, off to bed you two. Tomorrow we'll send these off to the Prophet."

Ron was surprised at how tired he felt, after all, he had just been sitting at the table and writing, not something that he normally associated with strenuous work.

As they got to the landing where Hermione's room was they paused, Hermione smiling tiredly at him. "I'm really proud of you too Ron. I think you did a terrific job on that essay. I hope you win."

Ron smiled at her, "You know Hermione, it's not really that important to me right now. Though I won't turn the Galleons down if I do win."

Hermione chuckled, "Good night Ron, see you in the morning."

Feeling strangely please with Hermione's praise even more than from his mother, he smiled back and said, "Goodnight Hermione."

XX HP + GW XX

Ginny lay holding Harry while he slept. He looked so much more at peace at the moment and she was glad that he wasn't in any distress. She was idly running her hand through his unruly hair, softly stroking him, trying to let her feelings of love literally flow out of her and into him.

She still had a hard time accepting how badly he had been treated. Hearing about all what had been done was difficult enough. She hadn't actually seen it so it wasn't quite as real as seeing the results when Harry broke down or reacted in some way to what had happened to him.

Through the Bond she was feeling Harry's contentment at the moment and a subdued happiness. She had to giggle softly as he snuggled a little tighter into her side.

Her thoughts drifted back to the talk her mother had with her when she turned ten, trying to prepare her for her transition from child to young woman. It had seemed all so abstract and far off back then, but somehow with this boy laying next to her, filling her with warmth and wonderful feelings, it seemed all that much more real.

She hadn't really thought about it till the other morning when Harry had commented on the changes her body seemed to be under going. The thing she found amazing was that the changes seemed to be happening at a much faster pace that her mother had led her to believe.

She swore that at the end of the school year, before leaving Hogwarts, she had been as flat chested as a proverbial board, now, while not huge, she definitely had the beginnings of breasts.

That fact was brought home, as Harry's head shifted on her chest and lay right on top of one. In his sleep he had nuzzled his head into her, causing sensations she had never experienced before to flood through her, and far from being uncomfortable, she had found the sensations quite pleasurable.

In doing so, Ginny felt slightly ashamed without really understanding why. It wasn't like her parents had ever told her such feelings were bad or anything, she thought it must have been because it was so pleasurable and no one had told her anything about them to begin with.

The more she thought about it though, ashamed wasn't the right word, confused, and private. Private was a more appropriate word for what she felt. It wasn't something she felt comfortable sharing, well with anyone other than Harry. She knew because of the way they felt what each other was feeling, there was no way she would be able to keep it from him.

She did find this a bit puzzling, after all, normally sharing such intimate things with a boy would be the most embarrassing thing she could conceive of. Somehow it just seemed right to share it with him, almost like she had to, or was supposed to.

Ginny sighed, another thing she wanted answers on and she didn't know who to go to. She knew that her Mum would expect her to come to her with such things but there was still some feelings of resentment on how she had treated her and Harry.

Thinking of Harry gave her the answer she needed, Aunt Poppy! If anyone should know about the changes a girl went through it was her. Ginny couldn't help but smile, now all she had to do was figure out how to have the talk with her without upsetting her Mum.

Looking at the clock, she saw it was almost time for dinner and she decided to wake Harry up. Gently she caressed his cheek, somehow in deep sleep he seemed much younger than he did awake. Smiling she tenderly kissed the top of his head, then gently shook him.

She felt his coming awake through the Bond. It was an amazing thing to experience as his feelings became stronger and more readable.

"Hey, love. Time to get up," she sent softly.

"Thanks Ginny, I feel a lot better now," he replied.

"I know," she sent back with a grin.

Harry couldn't help himself and giggled. "Yeah, I guess so."

Ginny felt Harry sigh, "I love this," he sent with a smile.

"What's that, Harry?"

"Laying here with you, silly. Your so warm and comfortable to be with. Everything bad seems so far away and all I feel is your love for me."

Ginny hugged Harry tightly, feeling his well being fill her. It was so amazing to her, she could vaguely remember summers home before Harry had entered her life and she knew she had never felt so wonderful, ever!

She then recalled her desire to talk to Poppy. "Harry, I need to get a message to Aunt Poppy and I don't want Mum to know. Any ideas?"

She felt Harry's confusion, and she didn't understand at first.

"Ginnnyyyy? Harry sent looking at her bewilderedly, "Ah Hedwig? Remember her, large Snowy Owl, feathers, flies letters all over the Wizarding World?

"Oh, Godric," Ginny moaned out loud, "You must think I'm a complete idiot!"

Though he chuckled, he sent "No I don't Ginny. We're two kids who have had so much thrown at us in a short period of time, sometimes I'm surprised we remember our names."

Ginny hugged Harry even tighter, "You always seem to know just what to say," she sent with a smile.

"Come on then, lets get that message written so we can get it sent before dinner," Harry said, starting to get up.

Ginny watched him stand, he still seemed a bit tired and a bit melancholy, but not as nearly bad as he had been. She knew that it was going to be a long, if not perpetual job working on Harry's damaged psyche.

Harry reached out his hand to help Ginny rise, smiling at her. She knew he had felt her emotions about her thoughts but was glad he couldn't read her mind, worried about what he would have thought of her assessment.

They made their way into Harry's room, Ginny going to his desk, grabbing a piece of parchment and his quill. She jotted down her request and rolled it up sealing it with Harry's wand that way laying on his desk.

Harry had Hedwig resting on his forearm, gently ruffling her neck feathers and smiling at her reaction. Hedwig was leaning into Harry's touch, and Ginny was sure she could see the contentment on the Owl's face. She was hooting softly, a soft comforting sound, filled with love and devotion.

"Hey Girl, ready to take Ginny's message?" he whispered.

Hedwig nipped his finger affectionately and though Ginny knew it was impossible, she swore smiled at Harry. Ginny had to shake her head, not believing what her eyes told her she had seen.

As Ginny let Hedwig take the scroll, she petted her too, "Thank you Hedwig," she said softly, smiling at the beautiful owl.

Harry took Hedwig over to the window, and gently tossed her up into the air outside, with a couple beats of her powerful wings she circled once and took off, heading north to deliver her precious cargo.

Harry and Ginny stood there watching till Hedwig disappeared from sight. Harry turned to Ginny, "Want to tell me what you're writing Aunt Poppy for?" he asked, hesitantly.

Ginny didn't understand his feelings at first, "I'd rather not right now, Harry," she sent shyly.

Harry got thoughtful, "You'd tell me if you had written her to come check my side, wouldn't you? I mean I promised I'd let her look at it if it got worse or didn't get any better," he said, feeling disappointed slightly.

Ginny got a shocked look on her face, it had never occurred to her that Harry would think it was about him. "Oh, Godric, Harry! No, please believe me it has nothing to do with you. I wouldn't go behind your back if you promised to do it yourself if it got to bad. I just need to find some things out and I'd rather wait before I find out if it's something I need to talk to you about."

Harry felt her genuine fear that she wouldn't be believed. He smiled reassuringly at her, "Okay, Ginny. I believe you. I'm sorry I doubted you. It's just I've never had much reason to trust people, and I should know better with you."

"It's understandable, Harry. It's in the past, we both need to come to trust each other fully. After all, we've only been together for a couple of weeks, Trust takes time to build, and while we have a certain amount that seems to be inherent in our relationship, it will take time till we are completely sure of one another."

Harry nodded and hugged Ginny to him, letting their love flow between them. It was at times like this, where they were just holding each other in each others arms that Harry felt Ginny's love the most. Whether standing or snuggled together in the bed, it didn't seem to matter. Holding and being held by her was without a doubt the most satisfying thing he had ever done.

They had no concept of how long they had been standing there, each letting the other fill them, feeling the warmth, smelling each other's tantalizing fragrance, not really thinking, just being, with their other half.

They were broken out of the spell by someone yelling up the stairs, "Ginny! Harry! Dinner!"

They stared into each others eyes for a moment, shy smiles forming on the lips, as if some secret had been shared. Ginny gave Harry a quick peck on the lips, "Come on, let's not keep them waiting."

Hand in hand, they slowly descended the stairs, ready to join the family for Dinner.

XX HP + GW XX

Poppy Pomfrey was sitting at her dressing table, brushing out her hair. It was a simple pleasure she enjoyed for more than the way it made her feel. It didn't really take any get thought to do, allowing her to think about almost anything else. She had solved many a problem by simply sitting and brushing her hair.

It was still fairly early and she didn't really have anything planned for the day. She thought maybe she'd work in the garden, if it wasn't to humid or hot, and there was always something to read, though she knew as much as she should read the latest medical updates, she had a novel she really wanted to read and she knew she'd end up with that if it came to reading.

She was startled out of her rumination by the appearance of a beautiful Snowy Owl on her windowsill. She looked at Poppy and hopped over to the edge of the dressing table, depositing the scroll gently into Poppy's hand.

Poppy quickly conjured a goblet of water for Hedwig and summoned a couple of owl treats from her bedside table. While Hedwig partook of the offerings, Poppy quickly read the note from Ginny. She smiled to herself, though the note didn't say directly, Poppy was pretty sure what Ginny was asking help with.

""Please wait a moment, I'd like to send a reply," she said kindly to Hedwig.

Hedwig hooted her understanding and took another sip of water, while Poppy went to her writing desk and jotted down a reply. She went back and said to Hedwig, "Here you go, and it might be better if you gave it to her away from her parents."

Hedwig nodded her understanding, jumped back to the windowsill and took flight. Poppy sighed as she watched her fly away, saying lowly, "She is a beautiful owl."

Poppy went and began to dress, he plans had suddenly changed and she needed to get ready, have breakfast and gather a few informative materials that may be helpful, before she needed to go.

Finishing dressing, she looked at herself in the mirror, glad that she was available to help someone she was coming to adore as part of a special couple that Poppy was sure was destined for great things. After all, if history told anything at all about Bonded Couples, it was they were there at that time for a purpose, always the focal point at some momentous moment of historical importance.

Poppy was concerned because the way things were looking, it would be the re-emergence of The Dark Lord that would be the part in history that Harry and Ginny would be called upon to handle. Though the Bonded couple usually prevailed, sometimes the price was exceedingly high. They were almost without exception, times of great death and destruction, not only for the Magical, but also the Muggle world.

Taking a deep breath, she just hoped that Harry and Ginny had enough time yet to prepare and grow, they were still so young though she knew in her heart, their innocence had been striped away by the one who fancied himself a Lord.

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your point of view, Poppy Pomfrey was one of the few who knew the real identity of the one who called himself Lord Voldemort. Not even the great Albus Dumbledore was aware that she knew that fact and she was in no hurry to let him know.

Poppy sat at the table, silently eating her breakfast and only doing so out of habit. The message from Ginny had triggered her train of thought and it inevitably led to her worst memory of all.

She had been engaged, quite late for a witch, being thirty two, but with her medical training and her dedication, she had not had much free time for what she had considered trivial pursuits. But then Brian had entered her life and they were going to be married.

She remembered how happy they had been, and she found herself going over to the mantle to gaze at the only thing she had left, one slightly battered picture of them together, so in love.

It was then that he who called himself Voldemort had begun his rise, terrorizing the Wizarding World, but like all self-styled tyrants there were always those who fought for what was right, no matter what.

Brian had been such a man, bold, fearless, refusing to bow down, defying he who would not be denied.

Poppy picked up the picture and holding it close to her chest, she sat down, staring at the man she still loved. Tears started to slowly trail down her face as she remembered in horrifying detail the night her world had exploded.

They had met for a quiet dinner the week before their nuptials, they travelled to a small inn far in the countryside, out where they had hoped to live someday, among the quiet fields, and starry skies well away from any city.

They had been trying to be very discreet, not because of the fear of people condemning them for premarital activities, but because there was a rumour that Voldemort was looking for her and her skills at healing. Back then it was join him or die.

Brian had been worried but knew they couldn't hide forever, but that he'd do whatever it would take to keep her safe. Somehow Voldemort and some of his oldest and most ardent supporters had tracked Brian and her to the inn.

Brian had made her promise to get to safety, to get help as fast as she could, while he magically reinforced the small inn, attempting to keep the evil at bay till she could return.

It was while saying goodbye and having the last kiss she ever shared with her love, that she heard one of the black cloaked men refer to Voldemort as Tom and even though his features were already becoming distorted because of his delving into the Dark Arts so deeply, she recognized Tom Riddle for who he was.

Against her better judgement, she had promised and left to get help. It infuriated her at the constant delays in assembling enough of Albus' vaunted Order members and the steadfastly refusal to let her leave without them.

By the time they had returned with sufficient force, the battle was long over. Her beloved Brian lay dead amidst the wreckage of the inn with the bodies of three Death Eaters for company.

That was the day she lost all respect for Albus Dumbledore, she stayed at Hogwarts not out of any loyalty to him but for the children that became her only source of solace.

And now it looked like the mad man was returning, once more to throw the world into chaos. Well Poppy had vowed that she would do whatever was in her power to help those who opposed him, yes even Albus, though again it wasn't for him, it was because it was right.

Now she had another chance to help, this young, special, loving and caring Bonded couple who she was fast coming to love, wanted her help. She would give it freely and lovingly, in remembrance of Brian.

Placing the picture back on the mantle. She saw it was time for her to go, smiling wryly to herself, she knew just the excuse to give to Molly, she was stopping by to check on Harry's recovery. She knew he really didn't need a visit, but it wouldn't hurt to check him over and she could spend time with Ginny and help her with her questions of a personal nature.

XX HP + GW XX

It was at breakfast that things got a little dicey for Harry and Ginny. Molly asked if she could use Hedwig to send Ron's and Hermione's essays to the Daily Prophet and Harry had almost choked on his juice.

Ginny told herself she was definitely going to have to work with him on keeping a calm exterior if he was ever going to learn to keep a secret.

"Harry! Just say she's out hunting and you don't know when she'll be back!" Ginny chided playfully, not wanting to upset him any further.

"Okay, okay Ginny. I'm sorry I'm not a master at concealing my feelings," he replied.

Ginny was happy that she felt some humour along with his nervousness. Maybe he had some potential after all.

"I'm pretty sure she's out hunting, Mrs. Weasley," he replied.

Ginny saw her Mum flinch at his continued use of Mrs. Weasley and though it bothered her a little, she still wasn't ready to fully forgive her mother just yet. She also noticed the frown forming on her mothers face, but then, fate intervened in the form of the twins bursting out in laughter.

Hermione stood at the bottom of the stairs, her hair standing straight out from her head. She was obviously not pleased. Her eyes came to rest on Fred and George who were practically rolling on the floor by this point.

Ginny saw her mother intake of a huge breath, priming her lungs for the diatribe that would be coming forth in a matter of seconds.

"Quick, cover you ears!" she sent to Harry.

Harry hastened to comply even while asking "Why?"

Ginny never got a chance to answer, Molly exploded with the force of a small bomb. "WHAT HAVE YOU TWO DONE? SHE'S A GUEST IN OUR HOME AND THIS IS HOW YOU TREAT HER!"

Ginny was looking into Harry's eyes, hers alive with merriment. At first she saw Harry cringe a little but when he saw Ginny's eyes laughing, he relaxed, and Ginny breathed a sigh of relief. At least for today, this wasn't going to trigger another panic attack in him.

"Told you!" she laughed.

"Wow, I've never heard someone so loud," Harry said.

They watched as Hermione came into the kitchen, eyes ablaze at the Twins and Ron, who was laughing almost as hard as the Twins.

Ginny watched Harry carefully, though not frightened, he was feeling a bit sad and confused. "What's wrong, Harry?" she asked.

"I'm not really sure Ginny. I think we need to talk a little later. I need to think about this, okay?" Harry sent his emotions letting her know of his confusion.

"Okay, Harry. Whenever you're ready, you know I'll listen," Ginny sent tenderly.

Slowly Molly's volume dropped and the Twins seemed somewhat chastised by the lambasting they received.

"Change her hair back this instant," Molly insisted, Harry and Ginny heard when they turned their focus back to the others.

Both Fred and George got pained expressions, "Ah, well, see that's the rub, Mum," said George, staring at the floor.

"Yeah Mum, we don't actually know how to undo it," Fred said, cringing.

"But it shouldn't last more than an hour," George stated.

"Or Two," Fred added softly.

"Well you two had better hope it doesn't last any longer than that." Molly said as she grabbed each Twin by an ear and marched them over in front of Hermione, "Apologize! Apologize this instant."

Harry and Ginny almost burst out laughing at the looks on the Twins faces. "We're sorry, Hermione," they said in unison.

Releasing the boys Molly shook her head looking mortified that her sons had pranked Hermione here in her home. "Boy's, I'm warning you, no more pranks, got it?"

Though they went through the motions, it was pretty evident that sincerity was severely lacking in their voices.

Looking sternly at the two of them, she said, "You two are to muck out the pond today. Got it? And no magic!"

"Yes Mum," they said contritely as they handed over their wands.

Molly collapsed into her chair in resignation, she then turned to Hermione and said very sympathetically, "Would you like some breakfast dear?"

Harry looked at Ginny, "I thought we weren't allowed to do magic outside of school?"

Ginny smiled impishly, "Well, really we're not, but Bill found out when he was a kid that because we live in a magical household if you only do it occasionally, like almost never but not quite, nothing happens."

"Really!"

"Yeah, I've even done some a couple of times, though I usually use my Mum's wand when I can," Ginny sent with a giggle.

Harry was gobsmacked, "Ginny!" he sent, half in awe, half not believing her audacity.

Ginny just shrugged, "It's not like we're breaching the Statute of Secrecy, and as long as no one gets hurt, what's the harm."

Harry stared at her in disbelief.

"Listen Harry, I'm the youngest of seven, I have six brothers, a little magic can even the odds considerably," she said, grinning.

Harry smiled, "I guess this is where the Infamous Bat-Bogey Hex comes into play?"

"You got that right." Ginny sent with a smile.

"How did you ever learn that one?" Harry asked.

Ginny got that impish grin again, that Harry was becoming to love, "Bill taught me before he left for Egypt. He told me since he wasn't going to be here to defend me any more I needed to learn to defend myself."

"I'd say he did a pretty good job if it," Harry said respectfully. Then with a smile he added, "And now you have me on your side too."

Ginny looked at Harry, appraisingly, "I was a little worried that Mum giving work as a punishment might trigger some bad memories. Are you okay?"

Harry smiled, "Yeah Ginny, I am. I can see the difference."

"What difference?" Ginny asked.

"Here we are made to work as a punishment for a misdeed, not allowed to do something fun, having to work instead," Harry said thoughtfully.

"Yeah, so?" Ginny asked, still not seeing the difference.

"At my relatives I was forced to work all the time, there was never any fun. It was like I was being punished all the time and not for anything I did, it was more just because I was there," Harry explained. "Plus there I did everything. Here we all have chores to do, sure, but the ones that are given as punishment aren't really any different, well maybe except that they are the really yucky ones."

Ginny couldn't help but giggle at that.

"Here everyone pitches in. Everyone does their share, no free rides," Harry said to her. "It's a big difference here Ginny. Here I'm contributing to the family, there I was worse than a house elf. It's a big difference, believe me, I'd rather work here with people I love and who love me.

"Wow, Harry, that sounds rather wise for a twelve year old," Ginny sent giggling.

"Yeah, just wait till I'm thirteen!"

While they were talking, Hermione had left to go get changed, and Ginny noticed the Twins looking a bit apprehensive.

Suddenly a scream pierced the silence.

Fred looked at George and said, "Guess she put on her knickers."

XX HP + GW XX

A/N: Ah the Twins, gotta love em.

Can anyone guess how the essay will come into play? Hummmmmm? Any bets on who wins?

Well, let me know and please review.