AN: Thank you all so much for the reviews/follows/ and favorites. I hope you all enjoy this story as I do!
AN Update: This chapter has been updated. I have changed a few details but nothing major just some details about the bond and reactions! I hope you enjoy it, please feel free to comment!
Chapter 2
Hogwarts Headmasters office
Albus Dumbledore waited in his office admiring an old artifact a friend had given him some years ago when he heard the flames roar from the fireplace and two red-heads stumbled out.
"Ah, Molly, Author, pleased to see your journey went well, please sit down." Albus motioned for the pair to sit in two chairs facing his desk and they sat. Albus walked and sat on the opposite end of the desk.
"Albus, what is going on? Molly mentioned to me what they saw happen to Ginny and Harry and mentioned a soul bond. It can't be, can it?" Arthur Weasley said, sounding frantic.
"Unfortunately, Arthur it is. I have heard stories of a soul-bond, never in a pair so young. The soul-bond ritual occurs when someone willingly risks their life to save someone and the souls intertwine and create one. The two people must love each other very deeply, even if they are unaware. Some have used the term "soul mates." When Harry saved Ginny, one of them was dying, I'm assuming young Ginevra. We won't know how until we can talk to the children, but when Ginny began to die, Harry's soul in a way saved it. The soul of her one true love reached out, giving a piece of itself to Ginny. The pair should see a strong surge in power and other side effects I am unaware of. Unfortunately, this is such a rare occurrence, that I don't have much more information on the effects and the ritual."
"Albus, they're too young to be in love. She's only 11, Harry only 12!" Arthur said, visibly upset trying to process the information he was just given.
"I'm afraid whether they know it or not, the two love each other so deeply their souls could not live without the other. It created its own. This is also why neither will be able to perish without the other. From what I've read, the only way for either of them to die is if they both die together. Over time the closer they get they will begin to feel the natural pull towards each other and their bond will strengthen."
"What does this mean for them?" Arthur questioned.
" I have very limited knowledge on the subject, but from what I can remember, the two will be connected in ways we cannot understand. They will share feelings and emotions, and their magical core should also increase. They should feel the effects of their magic increase gradually. Each bond presents itself in a different manner, so we do not know everything the bond will do. It will be a learning process for us all." Albus explained.
"Oh Albus, what do we do? They're still children" Molly wailed.
"Only time can tell us, Molly, we must take each step carefully. Would you two like to go to the Hospital Wing and check on the young couple?"
Hogwarts Hospital Wing
Ginny and Harry lay still fingers intertwined. Their beds had been pushed together since no one was able to remove their hands from each other. They had been like this for almost an hour now. The majority of the Weasley clan had made their way into the Hospital wing. Ron, Fred, George, and Percy came after dinner in the Great Hall and news that the pair had woken up. Bill flooded over just minutes ago and Charlie was unable to leave work. Molly sat beside her daughter, Arthur protectively stood behind her with his hand on her shoulder. Bill stood beside his mother with Percy on his side Fred and George stood at the feet of both the beds. Ron and Hermione sat beside their friend as the whole room watched the pair. Small conversations flowed around the pair.
Ginny could feel her head pounding as she tried to focus on the voices she heard around her.
Merlin's ball my head is killing me Ginny thought quietly in her head.
Ginny? The confused voice of Harry Potter filled her mind.
Harry? Is that you? How can you hear me?
Yeah, I don't know. I started waking up and I heard you.
Harry tried to focus on the noises he heard from the outside world but his head hurt too badly for him to focus.
We've been out for days Ginny, I don't know what's going on.
I don't either Harry. My head is killing me.
Mine too maybe Madam Pomfrey can give us something
Should we tell them we can talk to each other like this? Harry asked
Maybe we should keep it to ourselves for now
With that thought, Harry slowly opened his eyes searching the room. He saw the excited faces of the Weasleys and Hermione as he peered into the outside world. At the same time, Ginny opened her eyes and the group began talking.
"They're awake," the pair were unsure where this came from.
"Ginny dear, how are you feeling," her mother asked her.
"Harry, are you okay?" Hermione whispered to Harry.
Why is everyone so loud? Harry thought
Tell them to bugger off
A smile rose from Harry's face at the thought.
"Head is killing me," he said looking at Hermione "You lot are too loud."
"Tell me about it," Ginny said with a smile. Her mother crushed her in a hug.
"Percy get Poppy, let her know they're awake and need some potions." With that Percy was off.
How about a silencing charm too? Harry thought, Ginny giggled
"What's funny Gin-" George started
"-weren't dreaming about your boyfriend here-"
"-were you?" the twins finished in unison wiggling their eyebrows.
Ginny went to retort until she noticed her and Harry's beds were pushed together and they were holding hands.
Harry, we're holding hands
The pair released their hands and laid them at their side.
"Kids, I think Harry and Ginny here need some quiet. Why don't you all head up to your dormitories, it's time for bed anyhow."
The Weasley children plus Hermione said their goodbyes and headed up to the Gryffindor dorms leaving behind their parents and eldest brother. Hermione wasn't sure if she should mention to the group what she had overheard and decided Harry and Ginny should be the ones to tell them.
"Here dears, take this" Madam Pomprey said, holding a potion vial to the two of them. That they both graciously accepted. "How are you both feeling?"
"Much better than earlier just this headache," Harry said before taking the potion.
"You look much better, oddly seems like you've rested well in the short while since you last woke," Pomfrey said to Harry as she performed spells over him. "You seem much stronger, all healthy. I think all you need is some rest and you'll be fine."
Dumbledore is here Ginny thought as the older wizard walked through the double doors.
"Ah good afternoon Harry, Ginny so very glad to see the two of you awake. There are some important things I would like to discuss with the pair of you and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley."
Upon this,Bill motioned to Harry and placed a slight kiss on his sister's forehead and began to make his way out of the room.
Do you mind if Bill stays? He's my favorite brother I trust him
Of course Gin
Ginny blushed at him calling her Gin.
"Bill, you can stay," Harry said to the older Weasley. "If that's okay professor."
Dumbledore shook his head and Bill returned to his family giving a puzzled look to Harry.
Dumbledore explained to the group the same thing he previously mentioned to the Eldest Weasleys to the group. He left out the parts of the pair being in love. He felt this was a conclusion they would have to come to on their own.
Harry this is crazy were... soul-bonded
This must be why we can talk to each other
Are…Are you okay with this Harry could sense her tension and apprehension within.
Of course, I am Gin but, I'm glad it's you I saved not Ron
Ginny giggled in her head.
"She's a child, how can she be bonded Professor, this doesn't make any sense?" Bill asked worriedly.
"I've never heard of children being bonded."
"Please William, call me Albus, it has been a long time since I was your Headmaster. Unfortunately, the magic is out of our hands. Their souls are bonded."
"Ginny, are you okay with this? You barely know Harry."
Your brother hates me
He doesn't, he's just protective
"I mean, I'm okay with it as I'm going to be. I mean who better to be bonded with than THE Harry Potter."
Ginny said jokingly.
Harry looked up at Ginny and smiled. The pair reached out and squeezed each other's hand once more.
They instantly felt warmth inside them and the contact made them both calm.
"There is another matter that concerns the bond that I have recently discovered" Dumbledore explained "It seems the soul bond has another interesting component. I was not aware of this as any other bonded pair I was aware of had already been married. However, it seems that the soul bond also counts as a magical marriage. Harry and Ginny are, at least according to magical, married."
Married I'm only 12
I'm 11 Harry!
I don't know how to be a husband
I don't know how to be a wife
I'm sorry you're stuck with me Gin
Harry, don't talk like that we're in this together
"MARRIED!" Mrs. Weasley bellowed to Dumbledore "You can't be serious Albus, they can't be married. She's 11 years old for Merlin's sake! Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore you change them back now!"
God's your mum is scary
She's your mother-in-law
Don't let her hear you say that
"Molly, I understand your frustration, I however cannot take away the bond. Splitting the bond means killing the soul, which means both Harry and Ginny die."
"My baby girl" Molly sobbed into her daughter's chest.
"What do we do now Albus, they're too young to live as man and wife" It was Arthur who spoke now while comforting his wife. "What will they do, what will people think?"
"I agree, it is in the best interest of both to go on as normally as possible. Luckily it seems they are only married by a magical marriage bond, the ministry should have no knowledge of their union unless they decide to have a legal ceremony or until the age of consent when they are both 17."
"What do you mean by a magical marriage bond?" Harry asked.
"In wizarding weddings a couple not only fills out legal paperwork and says a few words. The couple become bonded, although not as intense as your bond to Mrs. Potter, until they perish or their marriage ends. It is not easy to end a wizarding marriage." The Headmaster explained.
"If this is just a magical bond, who will be able to find out about it?" Molly questioned.
"Ah, to my knowledge the only institutes that are automatically made aware of magical marriage bonds are Hogwarts, Gringotts, and the Unspeakables in the department of mysteries."
"So we should not have to worry about someone finding out and using this against Harry?" Ginny asked timidly.
"Precisely, until you turn 17 no one without your permission should be made aware of your bond. You two will, outwardly at least, be able to live a relatively normal life. You will learn more about your bond as time goes. Each bond is similar, but there seems that each bond is unique to the bonded pair and the situations that arise in your bond. We will deal with each obstacle as it arises. However, through my research, it is not wise for the two to stay separated for too long." Albus stated.
"Harry can stay with us at the Burrow," Author spoke, "if he's okay with that."
Will you stay Harry?
"Of course, I am!" Harry said cheerily.
"As much as I relied on the blood wards of your relatives, with the magical marriage, you are seen as emancipated in that sense and the wards no longer exist. I see now issue with you staying at the Burrow now, William I may need your help to strengthen the wards around the home." The older wizard explained, "The term is almost over, the two of you have been excused from exams and will be able to return to your friends as soon as Poppy here releases you. I will make your relatives aware of your arrangement. Now, if you all will excuse me I have some research to do. Goodnight Weasleys, Potters." He winked at the couple and left the wing.
"Well Harry, welcome to the family. If you hurt Ginny, it won't be just me you have to worry about." Bill said with a chuckle shaking Harry's hand.
"I can handle myself, thank you very much!"
"Of course, you can, I'm just here to back up. I think it's time for me to head out, Goodnight all" Bill said as he leaned over to hug his sister goodbye.
"Wait Bill, not that I don't want you to be, but you seem very calm about this?" Ginny asked cautiously.
"I wouldn't say I am happy," Bill explained, putting air quotes around "happy". "But, I have had a previous education with soul bonds. While I have never been introduced to a bonded pair, from my knowledge there being less than a dozen in recorded wizarding history, we learned about them in Egypt. Apparently, a bonded pair was once from feuding families and when the families tried splitting them up, let's just say it wasn't pretty. I'm not 100% on board with this, it will definitely take some getting used to, but I know the best thing for everyone, especially you and Harry, is to make this process as easy as I can."
"Thank you, Bill, it means a lot to us both," Ginny said, hugging her brother tightly once more.
"I think it's time we let these two rest Molly, they've had a lot to process," Arthur said to his wife.
"Goodnight Gin, see you soon. Goodnight Harry."
He hugged both children, placing a kiss on the forehead of his daughter.
"Goodnight Dad."
"Night Mr. Weasley"
"I love you. Goodnight Ginny, I'll be back first thing in the morning love" Molly said hugging her daughter tightly.
"Goodnight Harry, you were always a part of this family. I guess now it's official," Molly said, wrapping the young boy in a hug. "We love you very much Harry."
No one has ever told me that Harry thought to himself.
"Love you too Mrs. Weasley."
"Call me Mum or Molly, we're family now."
"Love you too Molly," Harry said with a smile. The matriarch tightened her grip around the boy sniffling in his ear. The oldest Weasley's made their way out of the room.
Harry, is it true what you said?
What did I say?
No one has ever told you they loved you before?
No, my aunt and uncle despised me.
Oh Harry I'm sorry
Don't be Gin. I don't have to go back there and I have a new family now, thanks to you.
Ginny looked over and hugged Harry. Her body felt warm to the touch. She laid her head on his shoulder and he began playing with her hair.
I'm glad we got bonded
Me too Gin.
And with that, the pair drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
AN: Thank you so much for reading, I hope you are enjoying it so far. As I stated I went ahead and made changes to this chapter as well. Please feel free to review, I appreciate everyone's input!