A/N: It's time to celebrate because 'Right and Easy' just hit 100 reviews baby! Woohoo!
Chapter 15: Friends
Ron was sitting in the kitchen with Ginny while Mrs Weasley prepared dinner. She was glancing at the magical grandfather clock, hoping to find Mr Weasley on 'home'.
"Where is that man?" she muttered.
Ron chuckled, "Mum… he'll be home in a minute, calm down."
Mrs Wealey turned to her son and scowled, "How can you be so relaxed about everything? You know how stressful the ministry is these days. Especially without a minister."
"Kingsley will do just fine, I'm sure of it. We just need to wait out a couple more days until it's announced. I'd love to see dad finally get that promotion, I know it's coming." Ginny countered.
Mrs Weasley had to smile at her daughter's words; she knew that once Arthur would get promoted to head of department, he would be able to spend more time at home. The extra pay would also be a nice bonus.
"I hope you're right, Ginny."
As they sat and waited, and quiet pop was heard from outside. Mrs Weasley turned to the clock, yet Arthur's name was still hanging above 'work'.
Ron and Ginny stood up and moved towards the windows.
"It's Harry and Hermione!" Ron called as they made their way outside to greet them.
Hermione was still clutching Harry's arm as they approached the Burrow. The moment her eyes made out Ron, Harry took his arm from her almost instantly. She looked at him, trying to find the reason for his gesture, but he would not look back at her. She turned back to see Ron and Ginny making their way towards them, Ron almost going at a jog.
"Hermione!" He called out and rushed right into her arms. Before Hermione could move or even speak, Ron was kissing her. She pulled away from him and stared at him in something like disbelief until she realised she was looking at her boyfriend.
"Hi, Ron…"
Ron stepped back and rubbed his neck, "Sorry about that… missed you I guess." He turned to Harry and reached out his arm, "How are you mate?"
Harry seemed to have been frozen the whole time, looking anywhere but them, until he took Ron's hand and patted him on the shoulder, "Not too bad, how's everything?"
Before Ron could respond, Ginny threw herself at Harry, almost knocking him back. Hermione felt a sharp pain in her chest. That was our hug, her head screamed. But then Ron's kiss came back to her, and it made her feel more guilty than jealous. Her mind was bursting with the dream she had last night.
Ginny pulled away from Harry and turned to face him, "I missed you" she smiled.
"I missed you too" he returned a weak smile.
Ginny turned to Hermione was staring into the distance, "You came back early…"
Hermione forced herself into focus, "We had some trouble with my dad… his memories were clashing… so I decided it would be best to come back. But everything went fine, they're memories are back." She smiled at Ginny.
"That's good to hear," Ginny answered.
Ron turned to Harry who was petting Pig. The scopes owl was still resting on his shoulder, "Thanks for bringing him by the way."
Harry's eyes shot to Hermione when Ron spoke, it was only a matter of seconds until Ron found out why…
Hermione paused when the memory of almost lifeless Pig came back to her, "You!" she pointed at Ron's chest, "What in Merlin's name were you thinking!"
Ron backed up and raised his hands to protect himself from her pokes, "What did I do?"
"YOU DARE ASK!" Hermione shrieked.
Ron turned to Harry, "Some help?"
Harry laughed, "To be completely honest, you kind of deserve it this time…"
Ron croaked and turned back to Hermione who was still shooting daggers at him.
"YOU SENT PIGWIDGEON ACROSS THE ENTIRE GLOBE!"
Ron looked confused at first, then he even turned defensive, "He's an owl, isn't he?"
Hermione's eyes widened in shock, "An owl… an owl?" she threw her hands down, "Ron, it doesn't matter if he's a damn falcon! He could have died!"
"What?"
"Yes, Ronald! Pig could have died! He barely made it to us! You're not supposed to send Owls on such long-distance deliveries!" She explained.
"What was I supposed to do, then?" he asked.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe use the damn telephone! Hell, you could have even visited us! The floo network is only a couple Galleons!" she cried.
"But Sirius used him for long distances!" Ron barked
As the arguments fired left and right, Harry turned to Ginny, "I didn't expect this to start so soon…" he chuckled.
Ginny laughed and took hold of his arm, "Come on… mum is probably dying to look at you. She's been going on all week about how you're probably not being fed enough." She pulled him towards the burrow as Hermione and Ron remained on the spot, arguing back and forth.
The dark and selfish part of Harry was celebrating right now. After seeing Ron kiss Hermione… something broke inside him. It was a very familiar sensation which erupted right in the pit of his stomach. An old companion awakened deep inside him the moment he saw them kiss. What the hell was it, and why did it feel familiar?
Shaking Ron's hand was not at all pleasant after seeing that. It was the first time he saw them kiss, and all parts of him hoped to never see it again. For the first time in his life, hearing Hermione and Ron argue was actually soothing.
"Harry!" cried Mrs Wealey as she embraced him a bone-crushing hug. She cupped his face in her hands to have a good look at him, "Merlin, Harry you need to start eating! I swear you're getting thinner every time I see you!"
Harry wanted to argue that he did eat a lot in Australia, Mrs Granger made sure of it. But he knew arguing with Mrs Weasley would be no good. After all, she was the closest person he would ever have to a mother. He wished he could say the same for Mrs Granger, but from what it looked like… Ron would be the one to call Emma Granger 'mum' and it hurt Harry terribly.
Mrs Weasley and Mrs Granger were both very similar in the aspect of love and care which they gifted their children with. But there were aspects in which the two women were completely different; Emma had the capability of being so much more than just a mum. She could be your best friend, someone you can talk to, someone who will comfort you whenever you have that need. Mrs Weasley had too many children to take care of to form that kind of bond with all of them, but Merlin knows she tried. It definitely didn't make her any worse of a mother. They were both amazing in the same brilliant ways, more than Harry could ever ask for. But none of them would ever replace Lilly Potter, the mother he never had the chance of meeting in person.
It always made him wonder what kind of mother Lilly Potter would be. Would she be like Mrs Weasley or more like Mrs Granger… maybe she would be a bit of both and have some extra assets herself. Harry would never know…
Mrs Weasley was pouring Harry and Ginny some vegetable soup when Ron and Hermione entered the kitchen. They both looked furious.
"Hermione! I'm So happy you're back!" Mrs Weasley called and wrapped her arms around Hermione who seemed to have cooled right down after getting hugged.
"I'm happy to see you too, Mrs Weasley." Hermione forced a smile and sat down next to Harry. She gave Ron a glare before turning to her bowl of soup poured by Mrs Weasley.
"How are your parents, dear?" Mrs Weasley asked as she poured some soup for Ron.
"They're great. Mum is happy to be home." Hermione explained all about the memory clash which took place with Mr Granger. Soon after, Mr Weasley arrived.
"Harry, Hermione! Welcome back!" he smiled at them both before kissing his wife. "You're back quite early, aren't you?"
"Oh please, don't make her explain it all over again…" Ginny croaked as Hermione mouthed her a 'thank you' with relief.
"I'll tell you everything once you've eaten." Mrs Weasley told him.
Mr Weasley nodded and sat down, "Very well. Merlin, what a day it's been!" he chuckled.
This gained everyone's attention. Ever since the end of the war, the ministry has been going through something close to a revolution. The very week that Voldemort died and all his death eaters fled the country, the Ministry turned upside down; People got fired, more people got sentenced and the Auror department was scattered all over the island, trying to find the remaining servants of the dark lord. Harry thought for a very long time about joining them and helping out. But his mind was quickly changed once he saw the kind of stress poor Mr Weasley was up to.
Once Arthur Weasley decided on going back to work after Fred's funeral, he was swarmed by the prophet. Everyone wanted to hear as much as possible about Harry and his battle with Voldemort. People were being literally hunted down for questions about 'the battle of Hogwarts'. The only people who the prophet was unable to reach so far were Harry, Ron and Hermione, the golden trio or whatever they were called these days. They were mentioned in every single daily article and most likely will be for the next couple of years.
Harry very well knew that a day will come when he will have to answer questions, meet important people and claim rewards. But he could never find himself ready, and something was telling him that he never truly would be. Right now, he had a pretty organised plan regarding the future.
First, he wants to return to Hogwarts and finish his NEWTs. Next, he wants to join the Auror department and start hunting down the remaining death eaters. But that would only take place if he found the ministry improved from what it has been in the past. He needed to see that it's a different place, a good government. Only then, he would join to help.
Mr Weasley ate silently until he realised the curious faces all looking down at him, "Oh… sorry to disappoint. It wasn't anything spectacular! It was just something from my department." He informed.
At those words, Mrs Weasley turned back to the dishes and Ron returned to eating his soup. However Harry, Hermione and Ginny still gazed at him.
"I had to confiscate a talking mirror which was purchased by an unfortunate muggle family." He began.
"What did the mirror do?" Ginny asked.
Mr Weasley laughed, "Someone made it so that it would comment on how you look. A muggle woman by the name of Rosie Wadham bought it from a local market. She was apparently brushing her teeth when the mirror spoke to her. We don't know what it said but it was enough to terrify the life out of her. She called the police about a talking mirror and it reached the ministry in seconds."
"What did you do?" Harry asked.
Mr Weasley sighed, "Well, we had to obliviate her of course… and I was able to acquire the mirror. But not before It called me out on my balding head." He chuckled.
The table erupted in laughter.
Harry was sitting by the fire in the Weasley's living room. It was pleasant and warm, as the amber flames illuminated the dark room. He was also happy to see Hermione and Ron sitting beside him. Hermione was reading a book (figures) and Ron was helping himself to a chocolate frog.
"Dumbledore… haven't had him in a while." He muttered as he slipped the card into his pocket.
Harry was trying to pay as much attention as possible to the flames, but he couldn't help himself as he stole glances at Hermione from across the room. Her hair was tied in a messy ponytail and she was sitting back on her feet. There was a loose hair dangling near her eye and Harry had a desperate urge to shift it out the way. He kept stealing occasional glances until Ron turned to Hermione.
"You staying for the night?" he asked
Hermione shook her head, not taking her eyes from the book, "No, I should stay with my parents. Just in case something happens."
Harry was almost certain that it wasn't the real reason why she didn't want to stay. But he wasn't about to ask her, was he?
"Fair enough," Ron answered as he pushed his feet up on the armrest and tied his hands behind his head, "You know… I was thinking we could rent out a flat sometime next month" he added.
This caused Hermione to almost slam her book closed as she turned to face Ron,
"What?"
Ron opened his eyes and faced her, "You know… my paycheck from the shop isn't that bad, so I thought we could rent out a place in Diagon Alley or something…" he muttered.
Hermione shook her head in disbelief, "Ron… I'm going to school next year."
"So?"
She rolled her eyes, "So… I'm going to stay with my parents. I should live with them until I finish Hogwarts."
Harry knew that in the muggle world, children usually stayed home with their parents until they finished school. This was also the case with wizards, but they turned of age at seventeen. And although Hermione was already eighteen, it was probably best for her to live with her mum and dad until her education came to an end.
"But why?" he asked.
Hermione sighed, "You know, Ron. I'm perfectly aware that you're a wizard of pureblood heritage, but you should really at least try to gain an understanding of the muggle world!"
Harry could sense the ghost of Ron and Hermione's earlier argument coming back to haunt the living room, so he made his way out towards the kitchen. He stepped out through the front door and started pacing the garden.
Although it was getting dark, he could still pinpoint gnomes running around amongst the bushes. He paced further away from the Burrow until he was out of earshot. Once he knew he couldn't be heard, he let out a long and painful sigh.
He was tired, of everything at this point. He was upset about coming back early from Australia. But he knew it wasn't Hermione's fault, she was just trying to protect her parents. He was also depressed at the thought of being alone.
Hermione might not agree to live with Ron for now, but Harry knew it's only a matter of time before she does. Harry also knew that once she did, he would be truly alone. He had the Weasley of course, the family he never got. He also had Kreacher, his faithful elf. But he didn't have a family of his own; the Potter family. He found himself trying to imagine having children and a wife. But Harry found those thoughts to be quite painful. A big part of him doubted he would ever have a family of his own. But boy, was it nice to dream.
Picturing his kids wasn't very hard. Harry knew he would like to have at least two kids. Preferably a boy and a girl. He didn't know what he would call them, but he could almost make out their appearances.
Harry hoped his children would keep his mother's eyes; They were one of his most attractive assets, and he would love to pass them on. He hoped his children wouldn't have to face the struggle of messy hair, but it wasn't hard to imagine that either.
The hard part was picturing the wife. This is where most of his fantasies would come to a sudden stop, as his mind would picture Hermione in a silver dress, standing at an altar, smiling at him. It was a very disturbing and uncomfortable image in his head. Not because he wouldn't want to see it in real life, but because he knew it was only that, a fantasy. And that always hurt more than anything else.
"You okay?" came a familiar voice.
Harry turned around to find himself facing Ginny.
"I saw you from my window, was wondering what you were up to…" she smiled.
Harry gave a light laugh and rubbed the back of his neck, "I was just… getting some air, I guess. Ron and Hermione are having at it again."
Ginny laughed and approached him, "They really are something else, aren't they?"
You wouldn't believe, if I told you how much, he said to himself.
"I can't help but wonder how they actually found that spark between them…" she added.
Harry turned to look at her, rather curiously.
"I mean… don't get me wrong, I know all about that 'opposites attract' gibberish, but I just never predicted they would find common ground. Always seemed like a brother and sister kind of relationship between them." Ginny explained.
Harry nodded, "Yeah, I guess I could see that. He argues more with her than he does with you."
"You and Hermione on the other side… you were always a different story." She smiled at him.
Harry looked up at her smile, curiosity raising in his voice, "What do you mean?"
"Oh, you know exactly what I mean… that sort of 'stare thing' you two do all the time… how you could literally have an entire conversation without even speaking to each other. Everyone noticed it." She informed, "And how you finish each other's sentences… my god that one is actually quite creepy," Ginny laughed, "I think you could give Fred and Geroge a run for their money—"
Her voice died down once she realised what she said. They both looked at each other for a long minute until Harry placed his hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Gin." He whispered.
Ginny looked him in the eyes, "It's not your fault, Harry. I think everyone has said that to you at least a hundred times by now." She chuckled.
Harry shook his head, "It's not the only thing I'm sorry about…" he began.
This made Ginny rather uncomfortable under his arm, "What is it?"
"I've been so horrible to you…" he croaked.
Ginny stared at him in disbelief before speaking again, "Harry, what are you—"
"You deserve better than me… you all always did…"
Ginny wanted to say something, but she didn't. She simply allowed him to carry on.
"In our sixth year… I was so happy to finally be your boyfriend. I felt blessed in a way." He smiled at his words. "And then Dumbledore died… and I had to leave you. I tried to justify myself… I said it was for your protection, and I still believe it was… but it wasn't the only reason.
"I didn't know what I would do if something bad happened to you… I just couldn't risk being your boyfriend back then." He explained.
Ginny took hold of his hand, "what about now?"
He looked up at her, "Now… I just… don't know. Ever since the forbidden forest… when I emerged from it in Hagrid's arms… I think a different person came out." He told her.
Ginny's arm shifted on his arm, clearly reluctant to let go.
"Ginny… I don't deserve to have your forgiveness. And I'll never stop feeling guilty for hurting you…" he began.
"Harry?" she mumbled as his hand left her shoulder. He stepped away and looked back into her eyes.
"I don't feel the same anymore… and I don't think I ever will." He told her, tears going down his cheeks, "I'll never be able to show how sorry I am… but I wish for you to find someone who treats you better than me… someone who will love you, like I loved you back then." He confessed.
Ginny was crying, and so was he. As they both stared into each other's eyes.
Harry tied his arms around her back and pulled her into a tight hug, "I hope we can remain as best friends. You will always be important to me, and I will always be there for you… I promise." He muffled into her shoulder.
"Thank you." was all she could manage, but it was enough for him. They remained in that position for a long time. Then Harry broke apart and smiled at her.
"Could you please tell everyone goodbye for me?" he asked.
Ginny nodded.
"Thank you… I think I'll get going." He gave her one last brief hug before apparating. And he was gone.
Ginny stood for a moment, thinking about his words. Then she smiled and made her way back to the house.
Brace yourself peeps. Next chapter is a huge one!
