A/N: Thank you to Rosesaresweet, michaelc100, Kikistan, Ironhidensh, Darkendlight74, SvenHPotterFan,
for reviewing. I appreciate your feed back.
While I'm here maybe one of you can help me find this fanfic i can't seem to locate. I read it about a decade ago and it was quite good. The basic premise takes place about OOTP and Hermione in an effort to save Harry and Ron accidentally casts a spell that leaves the three of them literally stuck together. Like some part of their bodies always have to be touching. If anyone can help find that I'd be appreciative. I know it wasn't on though it could have been put here who knows. there's a billion fanfics here.
Chapter 10:
Ginny stared at the little girl, taking her in. The girl's furrowed brow was raised slightly in curiosity as she stared down Ginny with the same intensity as she'd seen before in Harry.
"Ginny." She said simply, her voice hoarse. "I'm Ginny." The little girl scrunched up her face in thought for a moment, before her eyes went wide.
"Oh! Ginny! I know you. Daddy has pictures!" The little girl exclaimed excitedly. "Look daddy! It's Ginny!" She shouted as she turned to look back at Harry. Ginny raised her eyes to Ron who was watching the girl with a fond but nervous smile, and then to Hermione who was crouched down with her hand on the shoulder of the man in front of her. The man with the same inky black hair and emerald green eyes. Ginny looked behind the girl where he still sat on the floor from his ungraceful entrance from the fireplace, seemingly frozen in place the same as she.
"Harry" She whispered, sitting up from her relaxed position. "Is it really you? Are you really here?" She asked the man, unsure. Harry nodded in reply as he maneuvered to his knees and crawled over to her. He reached up gently and tucked a piece of hair out of her eye and behind her ear. She couldn't help the tears that started to form then fell from her eyes.
He reached out and wrapped his arms around her. He held her close and hugged her as tight as possible. She felt him bury his face in the crook of his neck and inhale deeply, letting out the breath contently against her as she reveled in his warmth. She lost it then, unable to control her tears any longer as she wrapped her arms just as tightly around him as well, holding on to him for dear life, afraid to let go. She felt a sob escape her now as she stopped fighting them, followed by another and another as she wept in his arms.
She never in a million years thought this was how they would be reunited. She thought it would be a bit more romantic, or something. Not him falling clumsily out of the fireplace into her living room and then holding her as she immediately falls to pieces after the shock wears off. But it still felt so right, and it was perfect to her.
"For heaven's sake, what is going on in here?" The voice of her mother fluttered towards them from the kitchen. She came around the corner, and promptly dropped the dish of food she was holding in her hands at the sight before her.
"Oh, Merlin's name. Harry." She whispered hoarsely, her hand immediately going to her heart. She immediately burst into tears of happiness as both hands moved to her face in shock. Harry gently let go of Ginny, something that was hard to do as Ginny had clutched her arms tighter around his neck. She didn't want to let him go, too afraid that he would disappear if she did.
She watched as Harry stood up unsteadily, using the side of the couch to help him. Taking a few hesitant steps, he walked towards her mother as Ginny reached out to her brother who still sat on the arm of the couch. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it tightly reassuring her that this was real.
"Hello Mrs. Weasley." Harry said softly as he stepped in front of her. She looked him over from head to toe, trying to discover if he'll flutter out of view, as if it was an illusion and not real. After a moment or two of that she gave up caring and just flung her arms around him.
Harry wrapped his arms around her waist as she squeezed the life out of him, mumbling things over and over such as "oh you're home, you're finally home" and "it's a miracle". Ginny looked up at her brother, not surprised to see his eyes wet as well.
Harry allowed her to hold him as long as she wanted. He probably felt he owed her at least that. He knew that her mother loved him as if he was one of her own, and it probably broke his heart to think of how much he had hurt her by leaving.
Eventually she loosened her hold on him and pulled apart, placing both her hands upon his face and took a good look at him as if memorizing it. Taking in his still too thin but healthy appearance.
"You look so good Harry." She finally said. "For once you don't look half starved." Everyone in the room laughed at that. It was a sad truth that his whole youth was wrought with long periods of little to no food, resulting in him looking very unhealthy most of the time, but it was good to laugh at it now.
"Yeah, well, I have to take care of myself now. I have someone who depends on me." he said. Her mother looked confused for a moment.
"Ginny, Mrs. Weasley, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Evelyn Elizabeth Potter." He introduced. He moved aside from her mother's view and reached behind himself for the little girl's hand, holding it tightly in his grasp as he brought the girl to stand beside him. Everyone looked down to the little girl, who was trying to hide from their stares behind Harry's leg unsuccessfully.
"Your...daughter?" She stuttered out. She looked over at Ron and Hermione, who both nodded their heads in confirmation before meeting Ginny's eyes. Ginny stared back at her, masking her expression to hide her feelings. "You're married?" Her mother asked, looking at Ginny again, who averted her gaze then to look at the fireplace, afraid of Harry's reply and bracing herself for heartbreak.
Of course he was married. He had to be. He had a child. Ginny's heart cringed in pain and she suddenly wished she was anywhere but there. However, another comforting squeeze of her hand by her brother brought her back to the present and she glanced at Ron again. He wasn't watching her however, instead watching the scene in front of them.
"No. I'm not married. I've never been." Harry answered.
Ginny's mind went blank for a second while it processed. 'Wait what?' it asked, looking back at Harry again. She exchanged another look with her mother as Harry stared down at Evelyn and tried again to yank her out from behind himself so they could get a good look at her.
She could see the emotions flit across her mother's face as she took in what Harry had said and the meaning behind it. Ginny knew exactly what her mother was thinking and she for a moment Ginny was worried. Her family, while progressive in most respects, were still purebloods. Having a child out of wedlock was a bad stigma on the person, the child, and the whole family along with anyone who associated with them.
'But do you care about that?' Her mind asked her.
Ginny watched as her mother got closer to them, then got on the floor with a slight groan, she wasn't as young as she once was. She held her arms wide open and beckoned the little girl to her. Hesitating only a little, the little girl glanced at her father before moving to the older woman slowly. Immediately Ginny's mother enveloped the little girl, holding her as close to her chest as possible as she lay her head upon the raven haired girls.
Ginny looked over to Harry, seeing his furrowed smile with wet eyes as he watched the exchange between her mother and his daughter. She could see the relief in his features at the acceptance of her mother from the girl. As if sensing he was being watched, Harry looked over to her, their eyes meeting once again and gave her a warm smile. Her heartbeat twice as fast then. She wanted nothing more than to envelop him once more in her arms but his attention was once more given to his daughter.
"Oh, bless you child." Molly Weasley said to Evelyn, hugging her tighter. "You are very welcome in our home and family." She said as she pulled apart from Evelyn and held her in the same way she had held Harry a few minutes before. Hands on the cheeks looking deeply into her face. "I'm your Grandma Molly." She said, breaking down into tears again and hugged Evelyn close to her once more.
"I've never had a grandma!" Evelyn exclaimed excitedly. When they pulled apart again, Evelyn, still in Ginny's mothers' arms, beamed up at Harry, "Daddy I have a grandma!"
"Yes dear. You do." He replied warmly, leaning down to place a kiss upon her crown.
As he straightened up Harry looked over at Ginny again who was watching the scene with tears still running down her face. He moved to stand next to her and reached over to gently wipe a tear away. Ginny looked up at him, disentangling her fingers from her brother to reach up to hold Harry's. He smiled and her heart constricted at the joy of seeing him happy again.
"Oh well, enough of this." Said her mother, placing a giant kiss on Evelyn's cheek. "You guys go outside and show everyone this wonderful surprise. And introduce this beautiful little girl to her cousins.
"I have cousins too?" Evelyn asked excitedly. Mrs. Weasley laughed at her and grabbed both her hands.
"Yes! Many many cousins to play with. And many more on the way I expect."
"Come on sweetie, let's go see them." Hermione said, holding out her hand. Evelyn took it and followed Hermione towards the door. The little girl was practically shaking with anticipation. Just as they reached the door Hermione stopped and looked behind her, expecting everyone to follow.
Ginny and Harry looked at each other for a moment. Ginny wanted nothing more than to speak to Harry alone without an audience. She hadn't seen him in so long and she had so much she wanted to say. She could see in his eyes he felt the same, but both knew it would have to wait. Ginny knew Harry couldn't just let Hermione walk out with his daughter without him. Couldn't leave the little girl to face the whole of the Weasley clan alone. Their moment alone would have to wait.
"Come on guys, you can talk this out later." Ron said, holding his hand out for his sister to grab, somehow reading the room correctly for once. "For now, it's time for a family reunion."
Harry followed behind Hermione and Evelyn with Ginny and Ron in the back. Harry put his hand on the door for a moment's pause, stopping them from leaving. Ginny watched as he closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep calming breath. She was about to reach out to him when Evelyn grabbed his hand, causing him to open his eyes again.
"It'll be ok Daddy." The little girl told him with wisdom beyond her years. She smiled at him, and Ginny watched as he returned it and gave a slight nod. Ginny felt a small jab of jealousy but pushed it aside. It was irrational and if her emotions weren't raw from the past ten minutes then she wouldn't have felt it at all.
Without further ado Hermione opened the door and the six of them filed out slowly, entering the large yard of the burrow.
In her absence since arriving, her brothers had finally sorted out the furniture, leaving several long tables on the lawn with an abundance of mismatched chairs. They all sat around laughing with each other and swapping stories from their week. Their children still ran around, not noticing the newcomers as they approached the tables.
The reactions of the rest of the family could be considered comical. The large family, usually loud in the best of times, had all gone silent one by one as they noticed Harry's approach. The children sensing something had happened with the silence of their parents all paused in their game as they glanced at the new arrivals. For what felt like an eternity the only sound heard was that of nature as a slight breeze whistled through as they all stared at Harry with wide eyes and gaping mouths.
It was Mr. Weasley who took the first step forward toward Harry. He walked up surely, standing in front of him for a moment in appraisal. Harry felt her stomach knot as the older man seemed to stare him down, but after a brief moment the man quickly reached out to him and embraced him tightly, causing relief to flow through Harry.
Harry wrapped his own arms around him, who for all intents and purposes, had been another father figure to him in his youth. He looked over Mr. Weasley's shoulder to see most of the other Weasley men had gotten up and was walking towards them. He felt so much love as they all stood there in a group hug, each of them reaching over to pat his shoulder or head, even give a few pinches. Each needing to cop a feel of him to be sure he was real.
Harry let them. He let them take their time embracing him, welcoming his back. Testing that he wasn't an illusion. He knew he had hurt them all. They had been his family and he had run away from them. He knew they had already been suffering pain and grief from the war, the death of Fred had been like a knife in each of their hearts and Harry had caused more by running away. There was no way Harry could put into words how light his heart felt at their acceptance of him back. How the weight of his heart felt lifted as they once again took him in. He had hoped and prayed for years that they would somehow find it in themselves to forgive them, though he was under no illusion that their acceptance and happiness of him back right now was in no way forgiveness for the pain he caused. There was still a long road ahead of them, mostly for Harry, and he was determined to do the work if they allowed him.
This went on for a long though not enough time until he heard Ron pipe in with "Alright, let him breathe a bit." Everyone chuckled but let go of him with a final pat or hair ruffle. He saw a few of them move their hands up discreetly to wipe a tear away before anyone else noticed.
"It's good to see you again Harry." Mr. Weasley said earnestly, keeping his hand on Harry's shoulder. "We've been so worried about you. It fills us with joy to see you are alright." He brought his arm around his shoulders and directed him towards the tables as everyone took their seats again. Harry sat in the chair that Mr. Weasley directed him to and looked around the table.
"Oh! Who iz zat?" He heard Fleur ask from across the table from him. Both Harry and Mr. Weasley turned around to where she was pointing at Hermione and Evelyn, who were still standing a little back. Harry stood up again and moved from Mr. Weasley, holding his hand out for Evelyn to take. She dropped her hand from Hermione's and ran towards his, standing closely behind him, hiding once again.
Harry reached down and grabbed her, picking her up to rest on his hip and placing a kiss on her temple. Turning back to the table for everyone to see, he held her close. Mrs. Weasley took to his daughter, he hoped the rest would too. He smiled at his daughter as Evelyn decided to be shy and buried her face in Harry's neck to hide it.
"Everyone, this is my daughter, Evelyn." He announced proudly.
Silence followed the introduction causing Harry's smile to slip slightly from his face. He glanced over to Ginny who stood next to her chair and gave him an encouraging smile as he waited for someone to say something.
"Is your wife here as well?" Percy asked, He looked around to see if maybe she had come out behind everyone else. Harry furrowed his brow at the question, opening his mouth a couple times trying to sort an answer at him. Ron thankfully stepped up, preventing Harry from answering.
"Hey, Evelyn, wanna meet your cousins?" He asked. Evelyn unburied her face and looked over at him excitedly. "Hey Victoire," Ron called. The little girl with white blond hair like her mother ran over to them.
"Hello Mr. Potter. I didn't know you knew my aunt and uncle." The little girl said excitedly.
"Why don't you take Evelyn here out with the others to play while we wait for grandma to bring lunch." Ron suggested, once again, saving Harry from coming up with an answer. She nodded at him as Harry put Evelyn back on the ground and Victoire took her hand, and they ran over to the other children. Once approached the Children immediately went back to playing, this time including Evelyn.
Mr. Weasley motioned for everyone to sit down around the table and waved his wand for the lemonade that was already out there to begin pouring again. The adults chatted about the daily going on in their lives while the children played in the field nearby. The conversation felt slightly forced and trivial as everyone ignored the elephant in the room.
Harry sat silently and listened to them chatter about their weeks, trying to ignore the unpleasant looks that Percy was shooting him. He had thought Percy alright while they had been in school, but the boy had changed after graduation and had become pompous and self righteous. Though Harry would be lying if he said he wasn't glad that he had made up with his family, however that making up had not extended to Harry, and Harry knew it. He could feel Percy's dislike of him from all the way down the table. Harry tried to keep his temper as the man also shot irritating glances at his daughter as she ran by with the others.
Soon however a large parade of food came floating out The Burrows door, followed by Mrs. Weasley to great fanfare and applause. The food was set down on the table which seemed to groan at the added weight of all the dishes. Harry's eyes were wide as he took in the array of dishes that Mrs. Weasley had prepared, in awe at her culinary prowess.
The children ran towards them, filling their plates full of too much food before moving to a smaller table nearby where they all ate together. Joyous laughter ringing out amongst them. Harry looked over as everyone was dishing out food onto their plates and saw Evelyn giggling at some joke one of the other children had made. He smiled at her having a good time and getting along well with the other children.
The conversation around the table was loud and boisterous just as Harry remembered. He relaxed a bit as he cut up a piece of chicken, wondering to himself why he had felt nervous in the first place. Everyone seemed the same, and they accepted him with open arms as if he never left, and that warmed his heart and cooled his nerves considerably.
Soon all the food was consumed, and dessert was to be served soon. But it was a consensus that it would be best to let the food settle before eating it. Harry sat back in his seat, crossing one leg over the other as his stomach attempted to digest the large amount of food, he had just put into it. He was feeling slightly sleepy and warm but sat happily sipping lemonade and returning to watching the children play. Soon though Harry was brought out of his stupor as Mr. Weasley spoke to Ron, gaining his attention.
"So, Ron, why didn't you just come out and tell us your 'friend' was Harry?" He asked his son, who was sitting next to Harry. Harry looked at his friend and saw his face turn slightly red at being put on the spot.
"Yeah Ron, how long have you known where Harry was?" George piped up from further down the table. All eyes turned to Ron.
"Well, not long," He stuttered.
"Just over a week." Harry cut in, trying to save his friend. He didn't want to get Ron into trouble, this whole thing was his own fault.
"And you felt you needed to keep it a secret, eh?" George inquired. Ron sputtered a few times before reaching for his glass and taking a drink instead of answering.
"We weren't sure what Harry wanted to do yet." Hermione said, trying to rescue her fiancé. Harry looked over at her and their eyes met, he tried to convey his appreciation of that thought. To be honest he was really glad that Ron and Hermione kept it to themselves. It had been overwhelming.
"So, you would have kept it a secret forever if he wanted you to?" Percy asked nastily.
"Yes," Ron said without hesitation.
"And you would have been fine with that? Keep him to yourself? What about the rest of us? His supposed friends and family?" Percy stood up at that and leaned on the table. Ron looked at his brother incredulously. Harry wasn't surprised by Percy's questioning and just watched the older man impassively.
"Percy, sit down and shut up." Charlie said from beside him.
"What about Mum? Huh? What about Ginny?" he continued as though he didn't hear Charlie.
"Leave me out of this please." Grumbled Ginny.
"Of course not!" Ron shouted back at him. He stood up as well towering over the table toward Percy. Hermione tried to grab his arm to sit him down, but he just shook it off.
"It would have been hard to keep it a secret, but if that's what Harry wanted then I would have respected his decision."
"So, you're saying Harry is more important than your family?" Percy sputtered.
"He didn't say that you arse." George said annoyed. Mrs. Weasley glared at George for his language but didn't scold him.
"That's enough. Percy, Ron, sit down NOW." Mr. Weasley said firmly. Both boys glared hatefully at each other a moment longer before they both sat down. Hermione quickly grabbed Ron's hand in hers trying to calm him. Harry was staring down at the table, not sure what to say. He didn't mean to cause friction between them.
The whole table was silent for a few awkward moments as the children played. "So, Harry. Ron tells us you live a few blocks away from them?" Mr. Weasley inquired, trying to get the conversation back to normal.
"Uh, yeah." Harry stumbled. He wasn't sure exactly what to say or do at this point. He just looked out past the table towards the children. Evelyn was jumping up and down with her hands in the air cheering at something.
"That's quite a coincidence. Must be fate." Charlie piped in grinning broadly. Harry looked at him, confused.
"I'm sorry, but what is?" He asked.
"That you would move into the same neighborhood after Ron and Hermione moved in." He said. Heads nodded in agreement. "The fates must have determined that you three shall get back together."
"You don't really believe in that crap, do you?" George asked, tossing some chips at his brother across from him.
"George, language." Mrs. Weasley said sternly. George rolled his eyes at his mother.
"I don't but you must agree it's really strange."
"It may well be, but I moved in before them." Harry stated quietly. Everyone looked at him for a moment before turning to Bill.
"That's not possible Harry, I did a sweep before Fleur, and I moved with the kids. There were no other magical signatures within 30 miles. He stated "How long have you been there?"
"Just over three years now I think." Harry replied, squinting his eyes in thought. "Yeah, three years."
"Not possible." Bill said again. "I was very thorough."
"You wouldn't have known I was there. I mask Evelyn and my signature so I couldn't be found." He said. Everyone was quiet again at that, each person thinking sadly the same thing. 'He didn't want to be found?'
Ron blanched beside him, "Blimey Harry. Hermione says that's hard to do long term. How do you manage that?"
"Where do you live then?" Bill continued, ignoring his brother's commentary.
"I live down on Adamson, in the pale green house." Harry said. "The one with the roses in the front and sides."
'That house has been empty since we moved in. We walk by it frequently on our evening walks with the kids." Bill said.
"The house is under a Fidelius charm. I'm the secret keeper."
"You certainly went through a lot of trouble not to be found." Percy stated.
"Percy, stop." Ginny said, exasperated at her brother.
"It's true though. Signature masking, Fidelius charms. This all points to someone who doesn't want to be located." He continued. "If Ron and Hermione hadn't randomly ran into you, they'd have not found you."
Harry sighed and sat up slightly in his chair as he stared over at Percy. "Yes, it's true. They wouldn't have found me." He admitted. "But that was more a side effect of my needing to hide, than the cause."
"Harry, you don't have to explain anything." Hermione said standing up to stand behind him.
Percy, however, was not done with his interrogation as he too sat forward. "And what is your reasoning for hiding? Who were you hiding from?
Harry glared at the pompous man as he felt anger grow in his chest. He could feel his power welling up inside of himself as he forced himself to take a deep breath and calm down. The last thing he needed was to frighten anyone. "It doesn't matter who I was hiding from. It only matters that it wasn't Ron and Hermione."
"And what about that child? Where's her mother then?" Pushed Percy as he pointed to Evelyn.
Harry's face hardened as he glared at Percy. The others watched with rapt attention as electricity pulsed through the air around them.
"What the…" Harry heard Ron mutter next to him as the table began to shake, spilling their drinks.
"That is not up for discussion." Harry said simply. Percy snorted.
"I knew it." He said.
"Knew what?" Harry was tired of Percy now.
"That child is a bastard!" He sneered out. Anything breakable on the table exploded as the rest of the Weasleys gave shouts of outrage. George reached over to strangle Percy as Charlie reached to hold him back. Harry could feel the alarm coming off his friends as they reached out to him, grounding him. Harry just stared at Percy with anger.
"Don't you ever say anything against my daughter." Harry whispered harshly causing a shiver to run through those around them while strong wind blew around the group. Harry watched Percy's eyes glance around with fear as the ground began to shake beneath them, causing the items on the table to clatter together and fall.
"It doesn't matter." Mrs. Weasley stated loudly. Everything settled and it was quiet again suddenly as if a switch had been pressed.
"Pardon me mother?" Percy asked.
"It doesn't matter whether or not she has a mother. She is still part of this family and will be loved and respected as one. And if you can't accept that Percy, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave." She said firmly, not looking up from her knitting.
"So, you're yet again choosing him over your own family?" He spat out angrily.
"No Percy. I love you, but you're the one who forces these decisions. You're still part of the family, but so is Harry." She said firmly.
"Daddy!" a little girl's voice shouted, running towards the table. Everyone turned to see Evelyn running directly to her father. Harry frowned looking at her shirt. It was covered in something that looked slimy and green. "My shirt got dirty!" She exclaimed coming up to him. She picked at her shirt as some slim fell off it to the grass.
"Oh, rotten luck there Harry. That's from the assorted Gunk pack. That shirts ruined forever." George said laughing. Harry looked down at Evelyn who had a bright grin on her face. He wondered if she had done it on purpose.
The afternoon fizzled out after that point. The conversation had been dropped for now. Percy left soon after with Audrey and his children in a huff. He seemed really put out over the way her Mum handled the conversation. He had spent the rest of the time he was there ignoring Harry's presence which must have been difficult as everyone else wanted to talk to and about Harry.
Ginny took a deep breath, sitting back in her chair. She looked around at her family surrounding her. They all seemed at ease, which both annoyed her and made her feel glad. She knew that Harry's nerves would be high with the anticipation of coming back, and her family's reaction to him and acting normal would be very welcome to him.
She looked over in Ron's direction. Her heart stopped a moment realizing Harry wasn't there with him. Hermione, sensing Ginny's gaze, looked in her direction over Ron's shoulder and nodded with her head over the field. She let out a breath seeing Harry sitting there at the edge.
She nodded once gratefully to Hermione and got up out of her chair and made her way across the lawn, dodging a kid here and there as they ran around chasing each other still. Ginny approached Harry who was sitting under the shade of a tree on the edge of the property. Evelyn sat in his lap tiredly, watching a bunch of multicolored conjured butterflies fly about slightly above her as Harry wrapped his arms around her and rocked her gently, side to side humming.
She smiled at the scene before her. It was the perfect picture of peace and she wished she had a camera to capture the moment to always remember. She couldn't help but feel happy at the peaceful happy look on Harry's face as he sat with his daughter. She couldn't remember a time when he looked so relaxed. Even the times in his 6th year when they were together. He looked happy and content when they spent time alone together, but never as happy and relaxed as now.
A small pang of sadness hit her, thinking of how happy he was. She was excited and elated to see him again. But at the same time, slightly sad at the sight of Evelyn. He appeared to have moved on without her. She had waited for him, all these years, hoping he would come back. She knew it was kinda pathetic, it wasn't done intentionally. Ginny couldn't help that her heart belonged to Harry. She had tried moving on by dating other people and such, but none of them held a flame for how Harry made her feel.
"You can sit down, you know." Harry's voice fluttered to her from the ground, breaking her out of her thoughts. She looked down at him. He was looking up at her with a smile on his face, still slightly rocking Evelyn, whose eyes were slowly drooping, falling into a comforted sleep in the safety of her father's arms.
"Nice butterflies." Ginny commented as she sat down across from him. He looked at the butterflies as well.
"Thanks. Evelyn loves them." He tried looking down to Evelyn's face grinning. They sat in silence a few more moments, the only sound around them was of Harry's soft humming.
"I think she fell asleep." Ginny pointed out. Harry nodded a little, trying not to disturb her.
"Good. She was starting to get a bit cranky. I think all the kids and magic wore her out." He said.
"Do you not do magic anymore? I mean aside from all the wards and such you apparently have done." Ginny asked curiously.
"Not a lot. We basically live as Muggles." He replied. "I don't even carry a wand anymore."
"You don't? Harry-" But she stopped her protest, unsure of what to say to that. She wanted to scold him for being reckless, but she didn't feel she could as she didn't know anything about him and his life. As a witch she couldn't imagine going anywhere without her wand, but living as a muggle, well, even then she'd still have her wand. "I don't know what to say."
"There's nothing to say Ginny." He told her. "Don't worry for me. I still have protections. Evelyn and I are safe. Though that may change soon."
She stared at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
Harry was silent for a few moments, still rocking the sleeping child as he stared off into the distance. It was a comfortable silence and for a moment Ginny didn't think he would answer her, Harry moved Evelyn gently as he stretched his legs out and leaned against the tree they were sitting under, draping the child across him.
"Harry?"
"I just mean, with Ron and Hermione finding me, we are probably not as safe as we have been." He stated. "Before, Evelyn and I had our wards and our anonymity. We were just every day muggles living an everyday muggle life."
"Being found out changes that now." She finished, her heart sinking. "Now the wizarding world is back. Oh Harry, I'm sorry."
Harry reached over to her and grabbed her hand, entwining his fingers with hers. She stared at their joined hands for several moments before curing her fingers tightly with his. "There's nothing to be sorry for. If I didn't want this, I could have easily fixed it the night I picked up Evelyn from Hermione's." He told her. "I could have easily gone back to her and obliviated her and put a memory charm or something. But seeing her just felt so…right. I couldn't. I missed them. I missed you.
She opened her mouth a few times as if to ask a question but promptly closed it. She wasn't exactly sure what to say. She stared at the ground with a soft smile, her heart pleased to hear him say he had missed her.
"You still look so beautiful." He commented softly to her. She looked up from the ground and met his eyes, which seemed to be boring into her soul again. She wondered how in the world he managed to do that.
"Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself." She joked. They both laughed lightly together. Evelyn stirred a bit in his lap at the sound as she turned around a bit to burrow into Harry more. Ginny watched as he rubbed small circles on the girl's back and began humming softly again to quiet her. She loved seeing Harry like this. So serene and loving. She couldn't help but start falling for the little black haired girl for giving Harry this sense of peace that had taken him.
"She's very beautiful. She looks so much like you." Ginny said, still watching the little girl sleep. "And when I say so much I mean almost exactly."
"Yeah, she does. Except her ears, and her nose. They belong to her mother." He whispered. The mention of the girl's mother stirred something in the pit of her stomach that Ginny couldn't identify. She had so many questions, but she didn't know how to broach the subject. It wasn't something that happened in the wizarding world. People didn't just have babies alone, and she wasn't well versed enough in muggle customs to know if it was normal.
"She's not around Ginny." He said softly, somehow knowing what she was wanting to ask. She felt elated at that statement for a moment before a sadness swept over her as she looked down at Evelyn again. While she couldn't hide the relief she felt, Ginny also couldn't stop the sadness that spread through her as she looked down at the sleeping girl. A girl should have her mother, and she felt saddened that Evelyn did not.
Sensing Harry watching her, she looked down at the grass in front of her, grabbing a blade. She allowed some of her hair to fall down into her face to try to hide some of the red that she was sure was creeping up it. She cursed herself for feeling like a teenager again.
"It's alright Ginny." He said. "It's been years." She looked up again.
"Where'd she go?" Ginny asked curiously. Harry took a deep breath and thought for a moment about what to say, giving a glance or two at the sleeping girl in his arms.
"She's just not around." He said. She squeezed his hand that was still in hers as he had a sad look in his eyes and held Evelyn closer to him.
"Ok." She said simply.
"I'll tell you Ginny. Someday soon. It's just…" He trailed off and gave a small gesture to Evelyn.
"I understand Harry." Ginny nodded. Of course, he wouldn't want to talk of the woman in front of Evelyn, even if she was sleeping. He couldn't risk her hearing in her sleep or waking up. It did pique her interest further though, but she could wait. She's waited eight years for Harry to return, she could wait a little longer to find out about the mystery woman.
"It's really good to see you again Ginny. I missed you a lot." Harry confessed, breaking the comfortable silence that had descended between the two of them. She smiled shyly up to him.
"I missed you too Harry. A lot." She confessed in return. "Where did you go?" She whispered the question.
Harry was silent as he looked away from her and stared out into the distance. She berated herself for asking it. It was too soon to be asking such heavy questions, but it was the one that weighed the heaviest on her mind. The one that she hadn't stopped thinking about since the morning she woke up and found him gone.
"I went back to the Dursleys." He said, finally breaking the silence again. Her eyes went wide at that statement. She wondered if anyone had even thought about checking there. "Yeah, I know. I only stayed for a few weeks. Dudley was quite helpful. After that, I ended up in Ireland."
"How did you have money? Bill said none of the Potter accounts had been touched." She asked. She knew she was betraying Bill's trust in that. He wasn't allowed access to view activity on accounts at Gringotts, but he was secretly watching Harry's accounts all these years in hopes of it possibly leading him to Harry. He risked losing his job if found out but it was a risk he had decided was important to take for the family's peace of mind.
"He probably wasn't watching the right account." She looked confused at that. "I have the Potter accounts, but I also have the Black accounts which is what I used." That made sense. Everyone knew how he felt about inheriting the Black estate after Sirius died. They all thought he would never touch anything in there. Again, Harry Potter surprised them by doing exactly what they thought he wouldn't.
"Of course. He didn't think you would touch it." She said,
"I didn't use it much. Just the first few years every now and then when money got tight. I got a job as soon as I could. I lived in this absolutely horrid apartment." He chuckled a bit at the memory. His eyes seemed to glaze over as he talked.
"There was this woman there, in the building where I lived. Her husband had left her, and she had 3 children. I would mind them 3 days a week so she could go to school and work 2 jobs to support them. That was when I decided I wanted to be a teacher. I used the Black money to pay for my schooling." He paused for a moment, smiling at the thought. "I thought Sirius would approve of that. Of me using their money to go to a Muggle school, to teach me how to teach young Muggle children."
Ginny laughed along with him. She agreed. Sirius' pureblood obsessed family would absolutely hate the thought of their money going towards something like that. Harry certainly had a talent for knowing how to piss people off, both intentionally and unintentionally.
Again, an easy silence descended them, the only sounds again of nature and Harry humming. She listened to him intently, smiling at how easily he went in and out of it, as if humming softly was second nature to him now.
But as she watched him, her smile began to fade as sadness came back at knowing how much of his life she had missed out on. "Why didn't you come back?" She asked quietly. It was almost so soft that after a moment or two of no reply from Harry, she thought perhaps he didn't hear.
"I couldn't come back, Ginny." He said simply. "After a while I tried, really I did. But I couldn't." He paused; she could tell he was holding something back. "I checked up from time to time on you guys. Andromeda would keep me up to date." That news surprised her.
"Andromeda knew where you were?" She asked, her voice slightly higher than it was a moment ago. Harry moved his hand from Evelyn's back to cover her exposed ear, causing Ginny's own ears to start turning red as she realized how loud she had gotten.
"Yeah. I couldn't leave Teddy behind. After about a year I got back in contact with her." She felt anger at Andromeda. While she didn't see her often, she did see her a few times a year. At Christmas, once in the summer and of course, the anniversary of the Battle at Hogwarts.
"She never mentioned anything about you. Never. All these years. She knew where you were?" She asked hotly. Harry gave a patient smile to her. She could tell he was very practiced at that look. The Harry of old would have gotten just as angry back at her, but she supposed being a school teacher taught him to control his temper.
"Don't be mad at her Ginny. She was just following my request. You would most likely do the same." He told her. That placated her a bit but not all the way.
"But all those years of us mourning your leaving, thinking of you at holidays. Wishing you were here and not knowing where you were. She knew, and she never said anything. She knew Ron must have spent hundreds if not thousands of hours and days searching for you. She could have at least said something so we could be at ease. We were so worried about you!"
Evelyn stirred as her voice rose. She felt immediately guilty at disturbing the little girl's sleep. Harry didn't seem worried though. He ran his hand over her arms and made soft sounds at her. She immediately went back to sleep.
"Sorry" She muttered, embarrassed.
"It's fine. She probably should get up soon. We need to leave." Ginny looked sadden at that. She didn't want him to leave. Ever again. Harry seemed to read her mind.
"Not forever this time." He said. That brought a small smile to her face. "I know you have a lot of questions Ginny. And I know I everyone, especially you, Ron, and Hermione answers, but it's going to take time."
"Harry…"
"There's a lot that happened." He said sadly, looking away again. "Very unpleasant things that I have a hard time talking about and dealing with. I just ask that you be patient with me please."
Ginny squeezed his hand again and nodded as he looked back at her. She had waited eight years, what's a little more time.
A/N: Thank you. Please R&R