AN: Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed the little exchange between Lupin and Harry! Thanks so much for the support! Love you all and don't forget to follow/fav and definitely review! I love to hear back from you guys and I take all sorts of criticism good or bad! I apologize for taking so long for updates. You would think with all the time on our hands I would update more, but writer's block is real and work got real weird. I've also been able to update a couple of the chapters with some editing, I will continue to do so. I am the worst self editor so I do apologize!
Chapter 10
The Burrow, Ottery St. Catchpole- Sunday, June 27th1993
Harry and Ginny made their way back down the stairs after the meeting with the headmaster. The rest of the Weasley siblings had made their way out of the kitchen by the time the pair had made it downstairs. Fred and George were out back flying around practicing their beater moves. Percy was back upstairs in his room. Ron was nowhere to be found, probably trying to distance himself from Harry and Ginny. Bill and Charlie were in the living room trying to hold a conversation, but clearly waiting for the group to descend back down the stairs. Ginny led Harry down the stairs and began to lead him out of the house into the back garden when Bill and Charlie leap to their feet.
"What did Dumbledore have to say Gin?" Bill asked with worry in his voice. Bill being a curse breaker knew that a bond like this could be very tricky and could lead to benefits as well as problems for the young couple. Bill had some knowledge of the bond, but there have only been a handful of cases reported in wizarding history.
Ginny looked at both of her brothers. She wanted to tell Bill everything, because she trusted him and she knew he would understand everything more than the rest of her brothers. She did not want to be the one to break the news to Charlie or Ron that she and Harry would be sharing a bed together. Harry, sensing her hesitation, decided to speak up.
"Nothing major, just warning us about being separated. He reckons that was the reason for yesterday." Harry said. Bill could tell there was more, but decided not to press the issue.
"Yeah Potter, if you wouldn't have been sulking in your room all day." Bill said jokingly patting Harry on the back.
"So, nothing else then?" Charlie asked, suspiciously.
"Not really." Harry said casually. "Ready Gin?"
"Yeah let's go. We're going for a walk, we'll be back!" Ginny said, waving to her brothers and ushering Harry toward the back door. Ginny and Harry made their way into the back garden and began walking towards the lake.
"I don't get how you're so okay with this, Bill. That's our 11 year old sister walking away with her husband." Charlie said with a slight hint of sadness in his voice.
"It doesn't mean I'm completely okay with it, I don't like to see her thrown into something like this so quickly and so young. Neither of them deserve to have their childhoods ripped away from them do they?"
"I guess they kind of already had it taken away. How can you go back to being a normal child after being possessed by that evil git? Or the way Ron talks about Harry's family he never had a childhood." Charlie thought aloud.
"So, no matter how much we hate it, at least she has someone to lean on through this. Could you imagine what she'd be like if she didn't have the bond?" Bill asked Charlie.
"Pretty miserable." He said sullenly.
"And from what I've heard about these bonds, their attraction to each other will only grow. They become defensive. It's in all of our best interest to be on their side, or face the wrath of the bond. We've seen how angry Gin can get, and how powerful Harry is."
"We've got our work cut out for us." Charlie rubbed the back of his neck and made his way into the back garden to fly around with Fred and George.
Bill waited by the steps when he saw his parents and former professor descending the stairs. He waited for them to reach the bottom before questioning them about the meeting. He knew Dumbledore had found out more about the bond.
"Oh Bill, our poor Ginny." Molly said rather dramatically.
"What is it mum?" Bill was worried now.
"Ah William, your sister and Harry will be fine. It just seems the bond is not quite as strong as we would expect, I suspect it has to do with their unusually young age. They will need to spend more time together than anticipated." Albus said with the usual twinkle in his eyes. "All will be well. Now, I really must go, see you all. Owl if there are any changes. See you all later this week."
With that Albus made his way out of the house. He could be seen chatting quickly with the twins and Charlie then making his way to the apparition point. With a pop, he was gone.
"It seems Albus thinks it is wise that the two of them, um... ah... well" Arthur cleared his throat while fumbling over his words. "The issue of them being separated would best be sorted out if they um...would stay together, including through the night. To help "recharge the bond"." Arthur said awkwardly, adding air quotes to the last part.
"He wants them to sleep together?" Bill said awkwardly.
"Seems so." His father responded.
"Ron's going to be thrilled." Bill half joked.
"Your brother better get himself in line. Harry and Ginny are going through enough without his sour attitude." Molly defended. "I've decided to invite their friend Hermione for the summer to help break some of the tension around here."
"I agree mum, He'll come around."
Molly excused herself and made her way into the kitchen to begin preparing the sandwiches for lunch. Bill and Arthur made their way to the shed so Mr. Weasley could share his newest muggle findings with Bill.
Harry and Ginny made their way to the lake; they sat down together under a large tree and made themselves comfortable. They sat there in silence for a while just being content with each other's company. Harry found himself absentmindedly twirling pieces of Ginny's hair.
"What did you want to talk about Harry?" Ginny asked after several minutes of silence.
"Oh yeah, so you remember how your parents mentioned my parents' friends?"
"Yeah." Ginny said timidly, afraid of what subject was being brought up.
"Well, I figured the only way I could possibly get to know anything about them is through their friends. Since one is dead, and the other one is the one who killed him, I figured owling Remus Lupin couldn't hurt."
"Oh Harry, I think that is a splendid idea." Ginny said excitedly.
"I hope so, hopefully he isn't too busy. There is very little I know of my parents, I'd love to learn more."
"Of course Harry, I'm sure they were wonderful people." Ginny said, giving him a soft hug that sent warmth to Harry. "How do you think they would feel about this...us.?"
"They'd be thrilled that their son met someone so wonderful this young in life and that their son could not be luckier."
And a pretty redhead Harry thought to himself
"You called me pretty." Ginny said blushing. "I think my parents are happy that I have you too. I know they're worried about everything, but after everything we've been through, it feels right that this happened."
"I agree Gin, I don't want to be alone ever again. And you are very pretty." Harry said looking at Ginny. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead and pulled her in close to him. Harry, who had very little affection in his life, felt affection with Ginny was almost natural. He wanted to be close to her and wanted to show her how much she meant to him as much as he possibly could.
Ginny and Harry stayed by the lake until noon. They shared stories from their childhood and shared memories through their bond with each other. It was a perfect morning. They skipped rocks and practiced a few spells. The pair has never felt more content with themselves and with life. They decided to head back to the Burrow around noon to grab some lunch. Harry and Ginny walked back hand in hand back to the Burrow. They both seemed happier than they had been in a while. Both were quite sure they had never been this happy before. Molly had made sandwiches for the many occupants of the house. Lunch was a quiet affair with conversations flowing around the table. After lunch the twins suggested a pick up match. The siblings and Harry made their way to the pitch the family had made for themselves. It was a great day outside, even Percy decided to play.
"Alright team captains, Bill and Charlie, they're the oldest." Fred said to the group.
"Oi, it's going to be uneven." Ron complained.
"Not if Ginny plays." Harry added.
"Ginny doesn't know how to play." Ron said annoyed.
He's going to be sorry Harry thought
"Well it doesn't hurt for an extra man" Harry defended. He had seen her memories of her flying. He was sure she would out fly Ron easily.
"Fine, but she's not on my team." Ron spat.
"Sounds good to me, I'll take Golden boy, Ginny and Percy. Charlie, can you have the twins and Ron?"
"Works for me" said Charlie. They split up into teams. Ron and Percy were keepers for their respective teams. The rest of the team split up into chasers. The Weasley's did not have a snitch and decided their mother would have all of their necks if they used a bludger against Ginny. It was clear that Bill's team had the upper hand. Ginny and Harry could speak to each other without a word and Ginny's flying skills were better than any of them expected, even on the old clean sweep. The game ended after Bill's team was up 150 points. Ron didn't stand a chance against Harry, Ginny, and Bill. He was fuming by the end of the match.
"Cheating git." He mumbled while storming off after the match. The other brothers made their way to speak with Ginny and commend her on her flying abilities. They were all greatly surprised, even encouraging her to try out for the team.
"That was fantastic flying Gin." Charlie said.
"Who'd have thought, ikle Gin-Gin, a brilliant flyer." George said, amused.
"Not me that's for sure, but well done Gin!" Fred responded. The group laughed and continued laughing about quidditch until they separated as the sun began to go down to prepare for dinner.
Dinner was very loud as the siblings spoke about the match and shared their newfound respect for Ginny's flying skills with their parents. Ron on the other hand was not very pleased. He scarfed down his food and made his way upstairs for the night. The rest of the family finished their meals and made their way to relax in the living room. Ginny and Harry waited until the last of her brothers made their way upstairs before making their way to bed. They were hoping they wouldn't have to face the wrath of Ron just yet. They both showered, changed into their night clothes and laid down in the bed. They both thought the experience would be awkward, but nothing felt more natural. Ginny snuggled her back up against Harry and quickly began to fade away as he placed a soft warm kiss on her forehead.
Best day ever Harry thought as he twirled a strand of Ginny's hair.
Best day ever Ginny thought as she drifted off to sleep.
AN: Yay! It is finally all updated. I will be posting the next chapter soon, I'm hoping to get to Remus as soon as I can. I'm thinking about this next chapter but we will see where the story takes us!