Chapter 7

The Eighth

(Writer's note: I will fully admit when the smoke and fireworks start. I hear AC/DC Thunderstruck playing.)

Ginny was correct. When they flamed in, dinner wasn't ready yet, but most of the family that lived there were already in the kitchen. Both Ron and Molly had their backs turned as they were preparing supper. For a moment, Harry thought he would be able to slip away, but just then.

"'Arry? is zat you? "

Harry froze. Ginny whispered, "You had no chance of escape."

He turned around to see everyone look up and see him. "Hi everyone."

Ron turned around. "What the bloody hell happened to you?" he asked.

Molly looked and was clearly taken aback, but in the best way. "Ronald, language! Harry, you look lovely."

He knew the Weasleys enough that this was going to be the talk of the night regardless. Harry dropped his half stack off to the side and took what had become his spot. "I just picked up a couple of things."

Ron continued on. "I thought you were just getting some books?"

Harry repeated from the morning. "Books, odd and ends, and whatever Ginny wanted." He gestured to the suit, "This is what Ginny wanted."

"And I stand by that decision." she said as she took her seat.

Bill actually cut in. "Actually Ron, with Harry getting more active with his affairs, a suit makes a lot of sense. Good call, Ginny."

"You look like zhe lord of the laird. Eet is a good look on you. Ginny, did you 'elp with zis?"

Ginny was about to reply. "Ginny did it all, she gets full credit on this one."

"Well done Ginny, C'est manifique!"

Ginny was surprised to receive an honest compliment from Phlegm. Harry could see she didn't quite know how to react and out of an 8 hour reflex, he did reach over and gently rub her hand. An act that seemed to go unnoticed… except to Bill. He smiled and nodded to his sister.

Arthur was there and considering everything he had done for Harry in the last few days, Harry was keen to hear his view. With a warm smile, the father nodded. "I agree. Well done, Ginny. Glad you too were together today." He took a sip of his drink. "Because I am afraid to think of how Harry would come home if Ron dressed him!"

Another evening meal of shared stories. Harry let Ginny take the lead in answering any questions about her perfect day. He was certain there were some details she wanted to keep quite.

"So you got yourself an entire bedroom?" Ron asked, "like my camp bed isn't good enough?"

"Camp bed is fine mate, it's you that snores." And another round of laughter. "Seriously, it's all about flexibility. I'm in no hurry to leave. I love it here. But I don't know where I'm headed in the next little bit. I can take that with me, and as a bonus, Ginny convinced me to get the bathroom.

"Zecond Bathroom? 'Arry my 'ero!"

With his arm around his fiancé and happiness for his little sister, Bill raised his glass, "A toast…"

Harry quickly objected, but with a smile. "Not to Master Potter, I've had quite enough of that all day." he said with a grin to Ginny.

Arthur picked up immediately then. "To the Man Becoming then."

Molly understood immediately, "The Man Becoming."

And all agreed, and Ginny especially appreciative of what the man was becoming.

It wasn't until after supper that Harry was able to get today's purchases upstairs shortly after Ron went. As the family broke away from the table, Bill actually caught Ginny before she retreated upstairs. "Hey sis," he called.

"Yes," she said, coming back down the stairs, still wearing the smile she'd had since she got home.

Bill kept his voice down out of respect in courtesy, but was curious. "You know I had a chat with your…companion today."

"Yes, I do."

"And I did give him an instruction."

"Yes, and he was a perfect gentleman, and he gave me a perfect day."

Bill honest smiled, with true happiness for his little sister. But he couldn't help but be curious of what he'd seen. "So was it a day, or was it a date?" he asked with a smile.

Ginny lowered and shook her head. "Not that it's any of your business…but considering how helpful you were to my boyfriend, yes, it was a date. A very special, perfect date."

"Good for you, Gin. Happy for you."

"Thank you, Bill."

Bill walked back to the kitchen and pour a fresh cup of tea while his parents and fiancée were at the table. "And? Arthur asked."

Bill smiled, "It was a date." he reported with a smile.

"I told you so." Molly said, "I could see it in their eyes with they flamed in earlier."

Arthur nodded, "It's about time," he chuckled

Fleur looked over the Bill, "I 'ave never been more 'appy to be wrong."

Bill rubbed his fiance's back. "Don't worry, love. We've all been waiting on them for quite a while.

Arthur chuckled, "Who's going to tell Ron?"

A moment of silence around the table, then they all agreed. "Let those three figure it out."

Bill raised his cup, "Harry and Ginny." The other three toasted the new couple.

Up stairs Harry had opened his half stack trunk in Ron's room. When he brought his wizard pack down into his new room. After he had changed into jeans and a t-shirt, he popped his head back up. "Ron, don't be a stranger."

"You sure mate? I don't want to impose."

Harry was already unpacking his bag into the dresser. He called out over his shoulder, "Then don't come down uninvited, but for now I just invited you. But leave the door open."

"What, limited air or something. We going to suffocate in here?" He began faking as such.

Harry shook his head in a smile. "No, the manual says there's a silence spell that activates when the door closes. I don't want silence right now. If your parents call, I actually want to hear them. They've been good to me. I want to keep them happy."

"So you were saying you want flexibility, you planning on heading out soon?" Ron asked as he sat on the bed against the wall.

Harry shook his head still unpacking. "No, unless your family gets tired of me-"

"Never happen, you're the favorite child."

Harry snickered. "Gin said the same thing."

Harry could feel Ron tense. "So you two, ah, spent the day together."

Harry turned around and hopped up to sit on the dresser. "Ron, please don't get weird. If you remember, I put an open invitation out last night."

"I know, I know, Gin and I already talked."

Harry cocked his head to the side, "Really? When?"

"Your first day here, She asked me to not be a prat if you two were friendly."

Harry watched him keenly. "And?"

"'And'' he mocked. "I said yes. Because when it comes down to it, you are a decent bloke."

"Thank you, Ron. That's actually really appreciated."

"Harry…" he started.

"How far down this uncomfortable conversation do you want to go, Ron?"

"Not very, I just want to say… be either one or the other. Choose. She doesn't deserve the middle ground shite that's happened before. "

"Ron, mate, I completely agree. Harry, nodded. "By the way, how's Hermione?"

"Hadn't heard from her yet. " then realizing what Harry meant. "Oi, that's different that is."

"How is it any different?" Harry said as she returned to unpacking. He was starting to get to some of the Dudley clothes, and starting to make a pile on the floor.

"Just is."

Harry ran up stairs and came down with his Hogwarts trunk and set that on his dresser. The Twins did the logical thing of packing clothes, but now he didn't need them and certainly didn't want them. Dudleys things went to the pile. Happily the Christmas jumpers looked to be some of the first things packed. They got their own drawer.

"Ron, take this from someone going through truly hard things. Take a deep breath for courage. Write her."

"But, like, what would I even say."

"Ron, I'm not going to write the letter for you. Just go with honesty. Hermione, I care about you more than simple friendship. You are important to me. Can we talk about this?"

Ron took a moment to think about it then, then considered the source. "Right, but you're one to talk."

"Then, don't take my advice mate. Keep living in angst when one of you does something. We've got two more years of school left. I'm sure the time will fly by."

Ron thought for a moment but then wanted to move on. No good would come from thinking about his Hermionesituation. "What's with the clothes pile?'

Harry looked at them with disdain. "Those are the last remnants I have of the Dursleys. Which frankly I would love to burn, but I'll settle for the bin."

Ron looked up to his friend. "Burn? Why didn't you say so?" and smiled.

"Hm?

"Just grab your wand and some clothes."

Ron grabbed the other half of the clothes, and lead the way up and out of his room. "OI Ginnny!" He hollered upward.

"What Ron?" she asked, annoyed and she opened her door.

"Bonfire for Harry, bit of property destruction. Figured you'd want in?"

Her expression immediately shifted, "Absolutely!"

Ron lead the way downstairs and outside towards the pond. Near the pier was a well used fire pit that Ron threw the clothes into. Harry followed suit.

"That is bloody perfect mate. Thanks."

Harry joined the Weasleys with wands ready about ten feet away.

"Be my guest, Harry." Ron offered first cast.

He drew his wand but looked over to Ginny. She remembered the conversation from the first day. "No one's going to care. Go for it. I'm right after you."

"Incendio," Harry cried out, bursting the last of the Dursley materials.

"Incendio," Ginny followed.

"Incendio," Ron joined.

The flames leaped with every casting. They each took several rounds, burning Harry's past. Finally, as the flames were magically enhanced to a 10 foot tall bonfire. Harry and tears of freedom joy running down his cheek. Ginny came to his right side, grabbed an arm and laid her head on his shoulder. "How are you doing?" Even in the dark of the evening Harry could hear the gentle concern and a want to know.

"Brilliant, I'm brilliant."

Ron slapped Harry on the back, and stood to his left. "Welcome to the Burrow."

"Thanks mate."

Happily in the same, welcoming tone of voice Ron also asked. "So you two… just start today?"

"Yep," Harry said without unapologetically and without hesitation.

"Good on you two." Ron acknowledged

"Thanks, Ron." Harry nodded.

"Ya Ron, Thanks a lot." Gin said with an extra squeeze on Harry's arm.

They never took their eyes off the fire. The three of them sat down on the slope and watched the remnants burn.

An owl delivered for Harry the next day.

Harry,

First, please know I think of you often. Ron and Ginny may complain about siblings, but being an only child isn't always the best either. There are reasons I read so much.

Regardless, to hear you moved so quickly and permanently, I admit, is a shock. But if you want to wait till we speak in person, that's fine. I plan to be there for Ginny's birthday, though I do hope we both write a few times between now and then.

I agree that likely the Weasleys are a better place for you, and I truly hope this letter finds you doing better than when you wrote last.

Finally, If I haven't said before, I do appreciate how you always have let me use Hedwig for a few letters. I often regret not getting an owl.

With care,

Hermione

P.S. A letter from Ron wouldn't go amiss either.

Harry started to fall into a routine. He got a workout at the start of the day. Generally a lap around the burrow then, into the barn. Pushups, sit-ups, jump up to one of the beams and pullups. Finish up with boxing. He invited Ron to come along.

"Six in the morning? Are you mental?

"Kinda." was Harry's reply. But he didn't push the issue.

During morning workouts, Ron made use of the new bathroom in his room. Which got him out earlier. Ginny got next dibs on Harry's shower. Harry would generally help in the kitchen during that, then they would switch. "Tag babe, you're up." became the running line.

Harry admitted he had initial concerns about living with his girlfriend's family, but it seemed the informal and unspoken rules were: 'Keep the snogging private.' and 'Don't be dumb.', (which they hadn't.) Manage that and no one complained with them being a couple. There were even many supportive smiles from the elder four, even Fleur, which gave Ginny conflicting thoughts. Ron rolled his eyes often and occasionally excused himself. But was good to his word and didn't make it an issue.

After breakfast, as the one with no place to be, Harry just automatically fell into helping Molly with morning chores, chatting the whole time. After that, he started studying. Usually he would bring a book to the kitchen table, just to be social and available.

"'Arry, you are a Triwizard shampion. You ought not 'ork so 'ard."

That one really annoyed Molly. Harry replied. "I am a 'shampion' with two more years of school and an evil wizard after me. I'd like to increase my odds." Was his usual reply.

So for a few days, life seemed to be improving.

Thursday, 4 July

The joke shop was busiest on the weekend, so to appease Molly, the Twins agreed to weekly supper visit, but asked to move it to Thursday evening, when things were slower. The mother simply wanted meals with her family she was less concerned about when they were. It had been a week with Harry there and four days with Fleur, but they for the most part were finding a flow. Today's news: Bill was promoted! While he still would still be a Curse Breaker for his day to day duties, he also would be an 'Executive Account Representative.' His only account, Harry. But the promotion came with a pay raise and security access increase.

"Unless you object, Master Potter?" Bill smiled.

"Not in the slightest. I rather like knowing it's you on the other side managing everything."

The Twins had good news also. They landed a government contract!

"We came up with a hat with a shield charm on it." Fred explained, "Figured it would be great backfire gag. You know, friend tries a prank, watch it bounce off."

"Then the Ministry sent a letter. No offense dad, but you would be blown away at how many ministry employees can't cast a simple shield spell!"

"They placed an order for 500 hats we already designed and they want to talk to us about a uniform line. "

"That's wonderful kids." Molly beamed.

Arthur nodded, "Congrat-"

He couldn't finish his praise before the glass windows around the Burrow exploded.

"Bloody hell!" Ron yelled.

"Get down!" Arthur yelled.

Harry's instincts grabbed Ginny and her to the ground beneath himself. He looked over to see Bill shielding Fleur, the boys all took a knee under the table, and Molly and Arthur fell to their sides. Harry looked down to Ginny. "I'm fine," she whispered, answering the obvious question.

Everyone seemed to hold their breath in the quiet except for the sound of bits of glass giving way to gravity.

Then a woman's voice sang out into the silence, "I KILLED SIRIUS BLACK!" Then another volley of hexes crashed through the window. Harry looked up to see the red energy of cutting curses. They were coming from several directions so they already had the Burrow surrounded. Ginny could feel the muscles in Harry's body tense in anger.

The closest Weasley to it, Fred, grabbed a handful of powder and tried to flame the floo. Nothing. "Blocked."

Lestrange's voice carried through the night. "Hello Weasleys! Give us the Chosen One and no harm shall come to a single…red…hair."

Ginny knew how her boyfriend thought and reacted quickly, by rolling both of them over so she was on top. "Don't even think about it!" she hissed. The flames in Ginny's eyes showed his surrender was not an option. As he looked at her he could hear the others.

Molly noted "Not bloody likely."

Arthur gave a resolute, "No."

Ron, not exactly panicked, but definitely excited. "No shite, we're not giving up Harry, but what the hell are we going to do?"

With confidence Harry had never seen before Ginny growled and looked to her brothers. "We fight."

The twins already had their wands out.

Harry even recognized the glare in Fleur's eyes from the tournament.

The Weasleys nodded.

Harry wasn't sure where it came from. Embolden by his second family not cowering from danger but reading to fight and defend him, wheels in his mind started spinning. Whereas in the past he was usually terrified and flailing for his life, fires roared. He looked straight into Ginny's eyes and she could see the change. In the middle of spellfire, she grinned. "Let's give 'em hell." Harry said.

Bill, wand in hand grinned as he saw Fleur at the ready. "Agreed… but something close to a plan wouldn't go amiss."

Harry looked to the stairs and cast out his wand. "Accio Halfstack trunk!" His new trunk flew down the stairs to his hand. A third volley of cutting curses flew through the air and Harry was even encouraged when he saw the charms on the case blocked the hexes."

"That's our bunker!" he shouted.

Arthur waved Molly over. Ginny glared at him. Harry rolled them over so he was on top again. "Don't worry honey, wouldn't dream of a fight without you."

"Fred, George! We need cover around the building and distractions! Remember the pranks for Umbridge?" They nodded, looked at each other… and smiled and started conjuring

Ron volunteered, "I've got the balcony, cover fire!"

Harry nodded, then pointed to Bill, Fleur, and Ginny. "Four corners breakout, be creative, keep'em guessing, keep moving! Snap wands as you , Balcony fire with Ron! If it gets too hot, the trunk is failsafe! Arthur, Molly… they don't touch this chest." Harry looked, everyone nodded. "On three."

Outside the Burrow, thick black smoke spawned from nothing and circled the building like a great 8 feet wide and tall Chinese dragon. Chasing its own tail then biting and eating it, the smoke dragon began swimming circles around the Burrow. Just as the Death Eaters started to approach, fireworks shot out, giving them all pause. The bright lights from the fireworks contrasted starkly with Lestranges whole being, "Well, well, well, someone wants to play." she uttered deliciously.

Emerging from the smoke on the north side, Bill may have seemed cool, but defending his fiancée, there were no stuns. "Bombarda, Bombarda, Bombarda" Bill let out at every person he didn't recognize. Like a seasoned hunter he emerged from the dark simply to strike, only to disappear back into the smoke. He recognized a crucial advantage. No one may be able to see in the shroud. But this was his home, as eldest he knew the lay of the land by heart. Bill swept the legs out the fist Eater he saw, got a second in the chest, the third got wise and leapt out of the way. Bill didn't care and kept casting. Even if he missed, the sound and debris from blasts added more distractions.

A siren's call came from the east side. Beautiful, enchanting, tempting, alluring song of love and beauty. Fleur's eyes filled with desire as an aurora of near golden desire. Her hair flowed in power and danced on the winds that were not there. Without a doubt she was the most ravishing creature anyone there saw and when they fell into the hypnotic allure of her song and allure the veela gave them pause to desire. And the pause was all Fleur needed to run them through. Every curse she cast was through the heart.

Running up the stairs and dashed out the door to the balcony. From here he the clearest view of the field. His home had been turned to a battle field. "Sodding bastards, he grimaced, as he started to drop curses down "Stupefy. Stupefy," His strategy had confused two Eaters, one on either side of them. So used to fighting a flat ground war that when he took the sniper position, he had the advantage of no one was looking for him. But he would not be the one who controlled the high ground.

"Accio Broom," a fearless voice called from the black. A moment later a crimson haired witch soared from the black. With four fighters on the ground, Ginny took to the sky. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned as she cried,"Incendio!" rained literal fire from the heavens. The sky based bombardment quickly formed a new dimension of war that many of the Death Eaters had not experienced.

Then came Harry, arguably the one with the most battlefield experience. He leapt out of the smoke sprinting and never stopped. Quick on his feet and quicker on the cast, he was throwing hexes out twice as fast as he was dodging them. He dropped one Death Eater as soon as he was clear of the smoke line. Harry caught the Eaters's wand as he fell and snapped it. A second shooter opened and he had to dodge a few curses but Harry quickly threw his stuns and put him down. He stepped on the newest wand as he kept running.

By now the Twins had moved to the balcony for height advantage. George concentrated on the smoke dragon, while Fred dropped flash bangs in front of every eater he saw. Ron continuing to lay hexes down as fast as could cast.

Lestrange watched in horror at what should have been a simple assignment. The Weasleys weren't nobles. They had no special training. They were barely above muggles! "What is wrong with you!" She charged into the smoke in rage, only to be blown back out by not one but a pair of Bombardas.

Arthur looked over to see Molly standing on the stairs of the bunker chest so only her shoulders were over the trunk lid. leaving her enough height to see and fight. The couple nodded briefly and they continued to watch their area of the interior. "Molly, you hold there. I'm covering the door!"

Harry was running the perimeter of the Burrow up to his forth wand snap before a cutter finally caught his back. He fell to his chest but kept rolling, from the ground when he saw the Eater he hit them with a Stupefy and sent him upward. Before he could hit the ground Ginny zipped by with to light him ablaze.

It was about that time that Lestrange rose to her feet, she began to realize her miscalculation. These were not Aurors officers. These were not Hogwarts instructors. They didn't stun or capture. As the bombardment and the fire reigned she saw, These Weasleys weren't holding out help till help arrived. They were out for blood. And then she was blasted again by another firebolt from the sky.

"God damn it, concentrate on the witch on the broom!"

Eaters began to huddle reform from the broken ranks the four had made them.

"Like hell you will," Arthur boomed. "Bombarda MAXIMA." as a crater exploded in the center of the Death eaters. Their numbers were cut in half but unfortunately half was still enough. Ginny has been expertly dodging the individual or stray fire so far but once garnered the ire of the squadron the skies became too full even for her. Finally a shot hit the broom, sending Ginny falling the ground

But with the Eaters now gathering the Burrows defenses were no longer needed. Even Fred and George were raining spells from the balcony. "I'm reinforcing the front, Keep firing! He ordered the Twins. "Decendo." he cast and fell to ground quickly but gently. Then ran to join the Weasley ground units as charged the Eaters, with Harry in the lead. "Stupefy, stupefy, stupefy!" he chanted as charged to where he saw Ginny fall too. He lost count of how many cutters caught him. Five? Six? The last one managed to slash his wand from his hand and between Ginny and his wand there was no choice. He continued to sprint and saw one Death Eater' cursing Ginny, and he could tell from her cry, it was a Crucio.

Harry pushed his legs as fast as he could and leapt into the air, tackling him to the ground. The spell broke immediately but Harry wasn't thinking rationally. With a fluid motion Harry grabbed the Eaters wand then stabbed through the Eaters hand with pinning it to the ground. With a jerk he snapped the wand, then Harry resorted to true violence.

With true rage he pummeled the Eater. "NOT MY GIRL AND NEVER AGAIN!" he roared with a punch with every word.

Then finally, then, Aurors started to apparate in. Lestrage cried out,"RETREAT!" to the few remaining Death Eaters portkeyed out. The arriving officers subdued any of the unconscious… and started to count bodies.

"Gin?" Harry asked as he looked over to her.

"I'm okay, Harry. Just bruised." Ginny used the broom to stand up. Then she got a look at Harry, who looked absolutely shredded. "HARRY!" She hobbled to him, and quickly hugged him, very much to keep him upright.

"Fine, Gin, I'm fine. Just some cutters," he gasped.

Bill, Ron, and Fleur were right on his tail. Arthur soon caught up. Arthur didn't waste time as he "Molly!" he shouted back, "Healers Kit!" Arthur took Harry, Bill tried to take his sister, but soon she shoved him off to take Harry's right side. Bill settled for taking the broom in. They started back to the house.

Even beaten to hell Harry's mind was running. "Ron, our wands. Ginny and I's wands."

"Right. Accio Ginny's wand! Accio Harry's wand!"

They walked in silence. They walked in defiance. They were all aware that hell had come to their door, and they beat it back. The Aurors who apparated in and saw the destruction the Weasley family could raise all turned in to watch them in respect.

Lupin, Kingsly, and Dumbledore looked in shock as the fighters came to the building. The Professor began "Arthur, what is the meaning of this?"

"I said 'no'." the father simply replied as gently as saying goodnight to one of his children.

"What?" Albus asked as he looked in disbelief around him.

"Bill, get them inside. Start tending wounds," he told them. Then Arthur Weasley, walked up to the great Albus Dumbledore, and simply explained. "They came for my son. I told them no."

"You let them fight?!" he asked.

"They came for one of us. We told them no. It is that simple."

"How?" Kingsley asked

"Harry!" Arthur said with pride. "When they opened fire, we agreed to fight. Harry came with a plan. Lead the others in battle. That man has the heart of a lion, and you keep wanting to call him a boy. Imagine when he comes of age." Lupin couldn't help his smile in respect and took a step back.

"We should speak with them." Kingsley noted.

"Tomorrow." Arthur said.

"But-"

"You may speak to my children tomorrow. Tonight, you and all your people may repair the damage you see, and you are welcome to provide security. But as for me and my family, tonight, we are going to take comfort that we are all alive. Now, if you excuse me, my son was badly injured and I will check on him."

And just like that Arthur turned and walked away. He never raised his voice. He still remained gentle, but still made it clear how it was. Kingsley and Dumbledore, stood in shock. Remus smiled.

Arthur walked back into the house, and to the kitchen that always served as the doctor's office. He hugged Fred and George as they were already cleaning the living room. "Molly love, how are we?"

"We'll be alright dear," Molly called out. "You saw the Twins, untouched. Fleur too. Bill and Ron took some cuts, scrapes, and minor burns." Fleur was already putting ointment on Bill.

"No man touches me unless I allow it,' she said coldly to Arthur.

Arthur came and hugged both of them,

"I'm fine Dad," Bill reported, "Harry's the man of the hour."

Ron only hit with a cutter to his forehead, bandaged, already on working on tea. Arthur, squeezed him too. "I'm alright, I got off easy."

He finally got over to his wife and gave a reassuring squeeze to her shoulder. He didn't want to get in his wife's way as she worked on Harry's back and Ginny took his front, stopping blood flow, healing gashes. Stitching Harry back together.

Molly continued. "Ginny took a hell of a lot of bruising to her right side."

"I'm fine. Taken worse hits in quidditch." she said without taking her attention from Harry.

"And Harry.." she sighed."

Harry's shirt was on the floor, torn to threads and blood soaked. His torso was cut to hell. His wand was on the table in front of him, with empty bottles from Pepperup, a blood replenishing potion, and a pain reliever."

"I'm fine," he said wearily. "Just some cutters, not even and Unforgivable." then looked at Ginny, "Sorry, didn't think."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "You idiot," she smiled despite herself, then kissed Harry's cheek. "When that's the scale for injury."

She could feel her father's eyes on her, but her focus was closing Harry's injuries. "Dad, I promise I'm okay. Yes, that cruciatus was horrible, but I'm okay."

"Love?" Arthur asked his wife.

"Well, he clearly took the brunt of the damage… but especially with the quality of nurse he has…" mother said of her daughter, "I expect full recovery."

Arthur could see the same dedication to patient care in Ginny's eyes as he had seen in Molly's over the years. So, almost as a recognition of the young woman she was becoming, he stayed out of Ginny's way too and just squeezed her shoulder.

Arthur released a breath he didn't even know he was holding and leaned against the fireplace. "Well… I don't think there was any doubt before, but it's bloody settled now. Harry Potter, the Eighth Weasley!"

Each and every one of them. Regardless of their injury. Nodded in agreement and pride. He hadn't been a guest for a while but tonight, he was a brother.

"The Eighth Weasley," they all repeated like a solemn oath.

Ginny directly into Harry's eyes, "The Eighth Weasley," she repeated it like an oath of loyalty.

After a few more minutes, even Harry got patched together for the night and new shirt on. Harry took her hand. "Now you." he reminded her.

"Molly?" he asked.

The mother came and rubbed Ginny's shoulders. "You're boyfriend may have point "

Ginny sighed, "I suppose he's right occasionally."

"Let's go to your room to get you checked out." Molly comforted as she grabbed her basket of healing aids.

The rest of the Weasleys had wandered through the Burrow.

"Harry, up for a chat?" Arthur asked.

"Sure," he nodded. "Before you do, can I say something?"

Arthur smiled. "Son, after tonight, I think you have earned the right to say anything you want." Arthur bent down and grabbed a bottle of fire whiskey and two glasses. "Just don't tell me this is your first shot."

Harry grinned, "Actually…"

Arthur shook his head. "Well I'm honored.

Arthur clinked the glass and drank his like a veteran. "You wanted to say something?"

"Two things. First, Thank you. What you guys did. All coming together, surrendering me never even being an option…I don't know how to say it."

"Harry," Arthur simply replied, "Nobody takes one of my children from me."

Harry nodded, finally for the first time, starting to understand true definitions of the idea of family. "Mr. Weasley, did you see me with that last Death Eater?"

"Yes, son, I did."

"Did I go too far?

Arthur took a chair to look the young man in the eyes. "Son, are you asking what I would have done to the bastard that shot up my house, threw curses at my children, and tortured my baby girl. Oh, Harry, it's probably best you got to him first. I don't think I'd left him breathing." Arthur firmly grasped his hand in comradery.

"Harry, do you know why you beat the hell out of him?"

Harry paused for a moment, reflexes were tripped, but after tonight, after this last week. Harry was learning those emotional safeguards weren't the best for him anymore. "Yes," he replied.

"Good," Arthur said.

"Have you told her yet?"

"No."

"Harry, you have to tell her. Firstly, I know she feels the same way. Second, you both deserve the happiness."

"Both?"

"Yes, both. It's a rare day a father finds a man actually good enough for daughter. But in you, Molly and I both agree we have. And that was before all this."

"Sir, what about the danger?"

"Harry, the war has started, there's going to be danger regardless. I think you two will fare better together."

"Sir-"

"Harry, let yourself have this. I'm actually quite happy you two started something. Don't hold back. Tell her how you feel. And welcome to the family. I'm proud of you, son."

He rose still looking in respect to his daughter's suiter. "Now if you will excuse me, I have a lot of mending spells I need to cast."

Harry drank his first shot. DAMN! And he felt warm and sleepy after. He staggered out the kitchen and looked up the stairs. The camp bed was 3 flights upstairs. His trunk room was 1 flight down. Easy decision. He looked at the trunk and was quite happy he hadn't cheaped out on the warding. He climbed down stairs and found his bed. Flicked his wand to turn the light out. And he soon followed.

Ginny more fell onto her bed than laid down gently. Molly helped as much as Ginny would allow. After giving her a proper inspection and rubbing ointment onto her daughter's bruises, she looked down to the young woman before her. "It's just us now Gin. How are you?"

"Bruised and sore, but I'm okay, mum."

"You are a very brave young lady. Even in my youth I don't know if I'd walked into that fight, and you flew. I am very proud of you."

Ginny shrugged, "Harry said be creative. It was the first thing that came to mind." Ginny said with a smile.

"That young man does seem to bring the best out of you." Molly noted as she brushed the hair out of Ginny's face.

"I like to think we do that for each other."

"That you do, honey. That you do. For now, get your beauty rest, you earned it."

Molly left Ginny's room just in time to run into Fleur coming down the stairs. "I 'ave treated Bill. He iz resting. Fleur handed over the jar of ointment. " 'or 'hover may need it."

Molly received it and the discomfort was palatable. "Fleur… I fear… I may have misjudged you. Perhaps we should talk?"

The veela looked at the matron of the house. "We 'alk 'omorrow. 'onight, I watch o'er my love." Fleur marched back up to Bill's room.

Harry didn't know how long he slept. Quite a while. He awoke feeling far better thanks to Mrs. Weasley. He walked up to the balcony. On the way he noticed much of the damage to the house, especially to the windows, was already magically mended. "I love magic." he muttered.

It was mid morning. Harry leaned up against the rail, and looked out to the battlefield in daylight. The once green field was littered with craters, gashes, burn marks. Aurors patrolled looking for any The eight of them truly had rained hell.

"Hi." a small and gentle voice called from behind him. He turned to see Ginny in a black t-shirt and jeans walking down the stairs. "Are you okay?" she asked earnestly, slipping into a hug.

"I'm fine, Gin. Really, I'm fine." he repeated, holding her close. She took several minutes of comfort in that.

"Harry, can we please talk, and for both of us, for like ten minutes, no joking?"

"No time limit, Gin. We can talk."

Now Ginny was the one taking courage breaths. "What happened? Where did that come from?"

"I think you know, Gin."

"No, no I don't know. I think. I suspect. I'm pretty sure." she said with a slight tremor in voice and shaking in her hand. "I don't know something until you actually tell me." She stopped and re-focused herself. She grabbed both of his hands. "Harry, I'm not trying to be a bitch, I swear. But a while back I made a promise to myself, that if we ever made it this far, there would be four conditions. And the first was we would actually say the words."

Tears were welling up that Harry could tell Ginny was holding back by will power. "Believe me, I actually hate the emotional train wreck I am right now, but what can I say, sometimes the girl wins out." she shrugged her shoulders. "I need us to say it. We both deserve it." She gestured to the battlefield. "I mean, we blew the hell out of the English countryside. The least we should do is talk."

This time it was Harry being supportive. Focusing on every syllable Ginny said, Somehow when she looked up with those big brown eyes, it all became easier. He gently cupped both of her cheeks and tilted her up and looked at her eye to eye. "I am so very sorry if I brought you to this, but yes, I very much love you Ginny Weasley."

Ginny, closed her eyes in a moment of celebration, and a few tears came down her cheeks to Hands. "Thank you…. thank you. That means so very, very much to me." She kissed the inside of his right hand and gently held his wrists to show she wanted to stay there for a moment. She took the courage breath this time. "Point two."

Slightly surprised, Harry nodded. "Okay, you were serious about the conditions."

Ginny smiled through tears, "When have you ever known me to be like other girls," She caught her breath. "This is the last time. This is for keeps. I truly do want this, but this yo-yo has to be cut. We can't do this on off, in out, one or the other stuff anymore. We have to choose, and well, like I said at the end of our very special perfect first date. I choose you."

Harry gently kissed her forehead. "For keeps. Agreed." Ginny trembled with another bit of joy.

"Point three," she continued with just a touch of anger. "I am your partner. Not your sidekick or little lady. No sidelining me, no benching me. No 'keeping me safe' stuff. Voldemort was in my mind, Harry. He tortured my father. Now he's come to my home and threatened my family, and you. I have scores to settle too."

Harry smiled. "Partners, I wouldn't have it any other way. Agreed."

Ginny gave another tremble and a few more tears "Last point," She said as she looked up to those emerald green eyes that seemed to cut straight to her soul. "You." She took Harry's right hand with both of hers, "This." she said as he rubbed his signet ring. "I am making this agreement with Master Harry James Potter of House Potter. A man whose confidence and strength, and the perfect dash of cockyness, is only outdone but his kindness and his heart. Whatever this growth, this rebuilding, this change is. I need you to keep going. I'm serious Harry, I'm not letting you go back. I'm not talking to the shy awkward Boy-Who-Lived. Dad's right, I want the best version of you. I want the Man Becoming."

Harry nodded, and kissed Ginny's forehead again. "Agreed, the Man Becoming."

Ginny looked up, with fire behind the tears, "I'm serious. For Keeps, Partners, the Man Becoming.."

Harry nodded and repeated, "For Keeps, Partners, the Man Becoming,"

"Then," the dam broke and Ginny finally let go. "Harry Potter, I love you too!" and they lips pressed again and held for several moments. But Ginny was overflowing with tears of joy so much she couldn't actually kiss her lover. At the arrival of a dream she had held for so long and even given up on so many times, emotions got the better of her as she broke down. The world's biggest tomboy, arguably the toughest Weasley, so elated she cried like a little girl. With a firm grip to her waist Harry lifted her off the floor and sat her on the railing, embracing her. And as she caught her breath kissing.

After a few minutes, she regained composure. "Harry, if you ever tell anyone I was that… sappy, I will bat bogey you so damn hard."

Harry gave his cocky grin. "What are you talking about, Gin? I didn't see a single tear."

She chuckled. "Thank you."

"Besides," he gestured to the battlefield. "I think you are a bit beyond the Bat Bogey at this point."

"Ya, well," she turned to look at Harry. "They shouldn't have threatened the people I love… or Ron."

They both laughed. Then Harry pointed out, "So Fleur outranks Ron?'

"OH! Ya, Phlegm is here. Well, no she doesn't." they snickered.

"You realize we may need to give her more credit now?"

She sighed. "I'll think about it."

They let the silence hang for a moment. Then the old Ginny was back. "It took you long enough, Potter." With a playful punch to his chest. "But, worth the wait." she admitted.

The two of them made it downstairs. Molly was busy baking in the kitchen. Fleur was sitting in the chair seemingly more peaceful. Bill was applying his trade to unblock the floo and reconnect to the network.

Ron was in the living room on one of the couches with the Twins. "How are you two?" he asked.

"Alive and one piece," Harry summed up, looking at Gin who nodded. Harry sat by the arm of the couch to Ron right, Gin curled up around Harry's arm and rested her head on her boyfriend's shoulder.

"Harry, you were brilliant last night. Thanks man." Ron said as they sat down.

Harry shook his head. "You lot voted to fight. I just was the first to think of a plan."

"Fast thinking in a crisis is not a bad skill, Harry." Bill called out.

Ron looked puzzled. "How can you hear us in there?"

"Curse breaking requires keen senses… including hearing."

A few more minutes of humming energy and arcane lighting filled the air, than the floo flamed back to life. He walked in and sat across from Harry and Ginny. Fleur following with a tea tray with serving for all of them.

"Ze least I can do." she said, pouring cups for everyone, then sat next to Bill.

Harry joked. "I think I may skip my workout today."

"I may join you tomorrow." Ron volunteered.

"Me too," from Ginny. "Dad?" she asked, not moving around at all.

"Outside," Bill said, "fending off the Order. They wanted to be here bright and early. Dad said 'His childeren deserved to sleep in.'"

The others all nodded and they took their time starting their day with a morning tea. They managed to get through their first cups before Arthur came in with Lupin and Tonks. "I think I'm ready to let you see them now." Arthur grinned.

"Wotcher Harry, everybody." Tonks nodded as she slipped into a parade rest stance.

Arthur and Molly brought the chairs from the kitchen into the living room so everyone could circle round. Then everyone freshened up their tea. Lupin took a seat and rested his elbow on knees. "Before we begin, may I just say, I think what you did is incredible. Our estimates suggest you held off 40 Death Eaters, including Lastrange, creating 22 injured, unfortunately 13 fatalities. "

"Anyone get Lestrange?" Harry asked, looking around.

"Unfortunately no," Tonks confirmed.

"Bollox!"

"Language, Harry!" Molly corrected.

To which the Wesley children all laughed. "You really are a Weasley." Ron noted.

Lupin laughed. "Nine of you, 3 of whom are minors, fended off a full squadron of Death Eaters. It's incredible!"

Tonks noted, "Actually, Tactically speaking, highly creative. Who was the aerial fighter?"

Gin raised her hand.

"I like your style."

Lupin continued, "Whose idea was the smoke dragon?"

Fred and George waved.

Lupin shook his head with a smile. "I personally love it. I will let you know, the Ministry… wonders if you were a bit extreme."

"They threatened my fiancé." Bill said coldly. Fleur leaned over and kissed him.

"So we responded in kind," Ginny growled, Harry slipped his arm around her shoulders.

"Someone fights a Weasley…" George started.

"Then they get to fight us all." Fred finished.

"What else would you expect?" Ron asked very matter of factly.

"Professor," Harry interjected. "To be respectful of your time, and you, if you want interviews, or statements or whatever, for your reports or whatever, that's fine. We'll tell you what happened. But, if you are looking for apologies, they aren't coming."

The nodding heads showed Harry spoke for all of them.

Tonks actually grinned at the unity of this family, and its spunk. Lupin sat back and smiled. "James would have been proud." he said.

The next few hours was technically the Aurors taking a statement, but truly more like a tea party. In the end, it was agreed that the Aurors would station a team at the Burrow at least until the end of summer when the youngest three went to Hogwarts. Considering it came in handy, Harry's trunk room was moved permanently into the corner of the living room. Bill also suggested, and Harry approved, using some of his Gringotts 'Executive' privileges for adding wards to the Burrow.

"Harry, technically they will bill you, but once the Sirius estate opens, you can just pay them off. They'll be happy you are just starting to do business with them. There are also some other options I would like to explore."

"Bill, draft the papers and I'll seal them. If my first few acts are to secure my second family, Fleur included, I'll consider it money well spent. No offense Mr. and Mrs. Weasley."

"This time Harry, we'll let you."

It truly registered with Bill when Harry specifically included Fleur, as it was intended. "You're a good man, Harry. And Mum, Dad, unless you tell me otherwise I'm adding some of my own spells to all this. Originality is harder to crack"

"Boys, stop asking. Just do it." Arthur said plainly. Harry and Bill exchanged nods.

By mid afternoon, Lupin and Tonks excused themsleves, and the Twins flamed back to their shop and flat. Bill headed to the bank to start things and Fleur retreated upstairs. Ron, Harry, and Ginny honest started to drift off to naps on the couches. They heard a flame from the floo, and thought nothing of it. But then a voice cried out, "Ron!"

"He's right over here, dear don't worry." Molly said as she guided Hermione around the corner.

Ron barely woke up from when Hermione threw her pack to the ground and fell to his side hugging him. "'Moine, I'm okay, I'm alright. I got out the easiest." He looked and he could see there were tears. "How did you hear about it?"

The question sent Hermione from concern to anger in an instant "That's a very good question Ronald!" she responded with a slap to his chest, as she stood up to give him what for. "You couldn't be bothered to send me an owl to say, "'I'm okay.' or 'I'm not dead,' sentences so short I am certain even you could manage! No, I get an owl from Luna asking if I was okay, after hearing that the Burrow was attacked. Apparently, from her house it looked and sounded like a god damn war broke-",

"Language."

"Sorry, some kind of war with fire and explosions. . ." she slowed down and breathed.

"And you're okay? Everyone is okay?" she asked again sitting down next to Ron.

Ron put a comforting arm on Hermione. "Ya, I'm fine, we're all okay. There was a fight. Big one, Not surprised Luna described it that way. Harry took the worst of it."

"Like normal." Harry confirmed.

"But we just got done talking to the Aurors. I haven't had time to even send an owl,"

"Oh… okay then." Then her gaze snapped to a cuddled Harry and Ginny. "When did this happen?" she gestured to the couple.

"Monday," they said in unison.

"So just to clarify, you two are actually together? I'm sorry, it's just such a drastic change."

Harry and Gin shared the same thought at the same time. Gin came round and full force kissed Harry full on the lips, and with only great restraint was she able to not continue that into a full snog. Then she curled up back next to them. They both flash wide smiles showing 'Yes, we enjoyed that with no shame.' Hermione turned to Ron to see him roll his eyes, but otherwise, not react.

"WOW." she replied from amazement. Then her heart kicked in and actually saw how happy the pair were. "That's really great." Then she looked back at the brother. "Ron, you're okay with this."

He sighed. "I can't say as I want to be in the room when they snog, but … they are both good to each other."

"Thanks, mate." Harry quickly added."

Ron nodded. "'Sides, Ginny played her cards right and got me to agree to be okay with it before it happened. So, I can't exactly go back on that now and be and arse. Especially after last night. Odds are I'd be the one the family kicked out."

"I swear Ron, I didn't plan it this way. It honestly was a case of our timing finally lined up." she laughed.

The Weasleys, (now including Harry) chuckled.

"Well clearly the last week or so has been eventful," Hermione took a seat next to Ron.

"Anyone care to begin? Harry, you moved out?"

An uncomfortable silence filled the air, one that Hermione could feel. "I clearly struck a nerve. I'm so sor-"

Harry raised hand gently. "It's alright." Knowing what was coming, Ginny preemptively slipped into a supportive hugging position. "Since I've been there, the Dursleys were shite. Last week, I walked out. Came here. Trying to rebuild. "

"Harry, when you say, 'shite'...

"He means abusive." Ginny said, getting to the heart of the matter, still squeezing him. Harry kissed the top of her head. Hermione's hand instinctively found Ron's who grip matched.

"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley know pretty much everything. I've told Gin a fair bit."

"Enough I will kill them if I ever meet them."

"You two," Harry said looking at both Ron and Hermione, "are my oldest, and closest friends. If you really want to know. I'm willing to talk, but it isn't pretty."

Hermione turned and looked at each other for a brief moment, then nodded. "We've never backed down from fear before, I won't start just when you need someone."

Gin squeezed tight for extra support. Harry took a breath for courage. "Last Thursday, it started with making breakfast…"

Again, Harry, detached himself from the events, and calmly neutrally, but graphically reported the events from the last day at the Dursleys. Hermione's eyes welled almost instantly and her reflex was to immediately hug him, which did create a moment of awkwardness, because Ginny was there. But the instant Gin saw that she nodded and waved Hermione over. She awkwardly buried her face in Harry's chest and he hugged her back with his spare arm.

Ron was clearly aching too. "Mate… you never said…"

"When we're spending most of our time together, all of us, is at school. Where things are better. Can you blame me not wanting to dwell on it there?" This time Harry did let a tear fall.

Hermione took a few moments. Then she sat back up and composed herself, wiping away the last few tears. "Ginny, if you ever get around to that whole killing them thing, I think I would very much like to assist."

Ron shook his head. "What is it with the ladies and murder rage?"

"Maternal instinct." Hermionereplied, crossing her arms as she sat back next to Ron.

"Someone hurts those we love," Ginny started,

"They deserve to die." Hermionenodded in agreement. Then with the thought of registering. "Wait. Love?" she questioned.

Harry and Ginny smirked and nodded. "Just sussed that out this morning."

Hermione glowed with happiness. "I'm really surprised you're starting up. I'm mean with the Prophecy and everything."

"Prophecy?" Gin asked.

"About that." Harry said as he raised a finger. "I've decided something."

Ginny could tell this was important and sat up. "First, Gin, between the lows and the highs" he said with a rub to her cheek, "of this week, that damned prophecy hasn't been at the forefront of my mind. But, to bring you up to speed. Yes, there apparently is one. It's what Volde- you know what, hell with that too. It's what RIDDLE wanted at the Ministry of Magic. There is a prophecy that 'neither can live while the other survives.' Dumbledore has known about it my whole life, and got around to telling me just after that night. He believes it means we are destined to kill each other." Ginny listened intently, Harry's voice somehow giving more comfort than fear.

"But," he turned to look at the others, still rubbing Ginny's cheek. "I've recently decided. I don't give a damn about destiny."

"Harry?" Hermione asked.

Ron and Gin started to smile. "I already lost one family and 16 years to fate. I WILL NOT lay down and be some token sacrifice because of a whispered promise that Riddle believes. In the last week I've gotten a second family, I've got a girl I love, I actually have things to look forward to. No… Destiny can go to hell with the Dursleys."

Hermionestared in dismay. "Harry, what are you going to do, try to run away?"

Harry grinned "Who said anything about that?'

Ginny's wicked smile grew as she could already read her boyfriend's expression. "You're going to fight."

"You're damned right I am."

"Harry, you can't fight destiny.

"Hermione, Who was the Triwizard Champion last year."

She rolled her eyes. "Well you, but."

"Out of how many contestants?

"Four."

"Exactly, in the TRI wizard contest. What's the cure for the Killing Curse?"

"There isn't one…" Slowly the thoughts started rolling. Ron started smiling..

"How many people can resist Riddle's Imperius Curse?"

"Only…you."

"I officially don't care about prophecy. If destiny wants me it can come find me. And if anyone is going to find a way, it's going to be us.

"Right on mate." Ron started in encouragement.

"Wait, Harry, what about Professor Dumbledore?"

"No argument, he is a great wizard. And if he has something he actually wants to teach me, I'll learn. But I'm not going to be the pawn sacrifice in this damn war. If I'm going to die, I'm going to die as I really am, fighting."

Ginny looked on in admiration. Kissed the inside of Harry's hand. "That's the Man Becoming, I love."

"I - I think this is insanity…. But you and your track record make a powerful case." Hermionesat back in disbelief. "Let's change destiny."