17Just to clarify this is Fan Fiction based on works owned by JKR who gets the money, the fame, the crazed stalkers. You know just to be sure so don't come stalking me.
Ginny had a small suitcase on the ground beside her as she stood outside the Leaky Cauldron wearing a nice blouse and one of last year's skirts that she and her mother thought was way too short but Hermione assured them was just perfect for the Muggle world. She was waiting for Hermione and her parents to pick her up but her mind was not on the adventures awaiting her this week in the Muggle world. "Ginny you ready?" Hermione called from an estate wagon that had pulled up to the curb.
"Yes sorry my mind was else where," Ginny said as she climbed into the back seat beside Hermione.
"So what's new with Harry?" Hermione asked hoping to pick up her friend's spirits.
Hermione was surprised when moisture appeared in Ginny's eyes and Ginny half sobbed, "That's the problem I haven't heard from him for two nights now. Mum says I've got to wait one more day before notifying anyone."
"Ginny don't worry I have his phone number we'll call him. Once you hear his voice you will be able to relax and enjoy this week."
"Here Hermione use my cell phone," Her mother said passing the phone back as Hermione's father drove them to the Granger's office.
"Yes I'd like to speak with Harry. What, oh I'm sorry to have bothered you." Hermione said before shutting the phone off and passing the phone back to her mother. "He gave me the wrong number."
"Hermione what was the family's name he was living with?" Her mother asked glancing at the last number on her phone. When Hermione replied her mother called someone and after shutting the phone off she sat thinking for a moment before looking over at her husband saying, "After I drop you off, The three of us will take a trip to Little Whinging to visit Harry. I'll let you know if I can't pick you up."
Hermione and Ginny exchanged looks. "Your mother's taking me to Harry's?" an astonished Ginny asked.
"Mum is great," Hermione replied with a big smile then did her best to divert Ginny's attention from Harry for the hour drive to Little Whinging through London's traffic with little success.
Mrs. Granger pulled over to the side of the street looking at the number 4 on the house. "Here we are. Do you want me to go ask?"
"No mum, we can do it," Hermione said climbing out behind Ginny and racing to catch up.
A large young man opened the door at Ginny's knock asking, "Can I help you?" As his eyes roamed over both girls.
"Yes I am here to see Harry Potter," Ginny said pleasantly.
"Sorry no Harry Potter here," The young man said firmly starting to shut the door.
"Dudley who is there?" a female's voice called out.
Hermione quickly associated Dudley's name with Harry and before the door shut had her wand out pointed at Dudley as she was saying, "Petrificus Totalus," A thud signaled Dudley's stiff body falling to the floor.
"Dudleykins!" the second voice shrieked as Ginny pushed open the door revealing a tall thin woman kneeling down beside the body.
"Where's Harry?" Ginny asked with her wand out as she glared at the woman. Ginny caught the quick flick of the woman's eyes to the stairs before the woman started to shake her head no.
Ginny brushed passed the woman running up the stairs "Where?" She started to ask at the top when she spotted one door with two large locks on it.
Hermione followed her and had her wand leveled but didn't get beyond "Al..." before Ginny cast a Reductor Curse in a strong voice. The door it's frame and a good portion of the adjoining wall was reduced to dust leaving a large hole that Ginny stepped through screaming, "Harry!" when she saw the sight before her. Hermione looked at the bed and immediately felt sick. A very pale and badly bruised Harry lay in a filthy unmade bed with sticks tied to both legs and one arm with blood soaked bandages. Hedwig's cage sitting on its side in a corner was badly dented and Hedwig didn't look too good.
"They are so going to regret this!" Ginny said.
"Let's get Harry to St. Mungo's Hospital. We can deal with these creatures later."
"I'll get Harry. You get those... things out of my way," Ginny said motioning towards the stairs.
"On it," Hermione said grabbing Hedwig's cage and starting for the door.
"Hi Ginny, it is you isn't it?" Harry said turning a purple face towards her.
"Oh Harry, just relax. You are leaving with me," Ginny said before casting a Wingardium Leviosa spell on him and levitating him out the door and to the estate wagon out front. Mrs. Granger had lowered the rear seat when her daughter yelled from the doorway leaving a large flat area in the back.
"Ginny Muggles can see you!" Hermione hissed.
"Then get over here and make it look like we are carrying him because I am not slowing down just to look good."
Within moments Harry was in the back of the car with Ginny beside him and Hermione looked at her mother saying, "Drive to London I'll give you directions when we get close."
"Are you sure this is the right place?" Mrs. Granger asked looking over the shuttered Purge and Dowse Ltd. Department store.
"Yes, Ginny you get ready to move him. I'm going to go let then know we are here," Hermione said getting out of the wagon.
Mrs. Granger opened the back door of her estate wagon and when she saw her daughter emerge from the store window she tried to appear as if she was helping carry Harry as Ginny levitated him out. "I've got him now mum. You go home I'll call you soon," Hermione said taking her mother's place at Harry's feet as they approached the store front.
Mrs. Granger watched her daughter disappear through the store window with her friends and after a deep sigh caused by her daughter having a life that she couldn't share, got back in her car and drove away far slower than she had driven getting here.
"What seems to be the problem?" the Welcome Witch asked as Hermione approached.
"He's been badly beaten and I don't know what else," Hermione said stepping aside so she could see Harry still being levitated by Ginny.
The witch conjured a self levitating stretcher then turned to the girls saying, "Why don't you two go to the Tearoom I'll be in touch."
"He is not leaving my sight!" Ginny said firmly.
"Dear, he'll be in good hands," the Welcome Witch said as healers appeared in response to her unseen summons. "Muggle beating we think." The Welcome Witch said to the healers. The healers started down the hall with Harry and Ginny brushed by the Welcome Witch who tried to stop her with a, "Young lady."
"Don't even try to stop me," Ginny said her wand flashing dangerously at the Welcome Witch.
"Miss are you related to this individual?" The healer with the stretcher asked.
"I am the closest thing to family he has!" Ginny stated strongly her eyes flashing as her attention turned to the healer.
"Ah yes, In that case she can come with us," The Healer said after a quick glance at an unmoving Harry.
"Ginny I'll let everyone know." Hermione called out to a rapidly departing Ginny. Then looking at the Welcome Witch she asked, "Fireplace?"
A hand point and a pinch of Floo powder later Hermione called out, "The Burrow," then stuck her head in the flames. "Mrs. Weasley?" Hermione called out.
"Hermione what's wrong? Is Ginny all right?" Mrs. Weasley asked coming around the corner into the kitchen.
"Yes Ginny's all right. My mum took us to see Harry. We brought him to St. Mungo's He's in bad shape and Ginny's with him."
"Oh my..., I'll call Mr. Weasley and be right over," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Could you tell him we used magic at Harry's and I left someone stunned there."
"I won't ask, Best let Arthur deal with that. I'll contact Dumbledore also, he will want to know."
"Thanks, I'll be here keeping watch." Hermione said backing out of the fireplace. A very few minutes later Ron stumbled out of the fireplace saw Hermione and gave her a hug asking, "How are you?"
"I'm fine, Ginny's still with Harry."
"Okay, Mum said to stay here with you. Others should be arriving soon," Ron said jumping as Dumbledore apparated right beside him.
"What is going on?" Dumbledore asked looking at Hermione who explained everything that she knew. "I will be right back," He said his face rigid he turned heading towards the Welcome Witch who stepped aside without a word.
Hermione marveled that no matter where Dumbledore was crowds and people seemed to flow of his way when he was in this mood.
"How is he?" Dumbledore asked as he entered the room where Harry was being treated.
"I'm sorry you will have to..." A healer said as he started around intending to evict this latest visitor. "Professor, I am sorry I didn't recognize your voice. We had to give him some dragon's blood he'd lost so much of his own. He has a lot of broken bones and some bad internal injuries including ruptured organs. Nothing we can't fix given time. However we can't get this young lady to leave his side. Maybe you can get her to go relax."
"Is she in the way?'
"Not at all. She has been occasionally helpful," the healer allowed.
"Then, for several reasons I'll explain to you later, it is better for both of them if she stays. That is if you don't mind," Dumbledore said looking closely at the Healer.
'Mind, why would I mind. She sits there with her wand out watching my every move. If she wants I'm a frog before I even realize it.' The healer thought but said, "She can stay."
"I must go and deal with some other items. Do you need anything Ginny?"
"No and thank you Professor," Ginny said smiling at Dumbledore before refocusing her attention on Harry.
Back in the reception area Dumbledore looked at Hermione, Ron and a recently arrived Mrs. Weasley saying, "Ginny is still with Harry and I think she will be with him for quite a while yet. He is in rough shape but he will survive. Now I should go back to Hogwarts, Molly I'm sure you and Arthur and can handle anything that needs doing," Dumbledore said before leaving with a pop.
"I'm glad you two checked on him," Molly said looking at Hermione.
"I think we will be in trouble with the Ministry," Hermione said looking a little down.
"Over what you did getting Harry away from those Muggles?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Yes."
"I wouldn't worry about it. After the display we put on at the ministry, this was minor."
It was a few hours later when Arthur floo'ed in locating his family after a fashion in the fifth floor tearoom.
"Hi Dad," Ron said as his father sat down and was brought up to speed on Harry's condition.
"We've cleaned up the mess at Privet Drive. By the way who did what?" Mr. Weasley asked looking at Hermione.
"I stunned someone and Ginny destroyed a door."
"Ginny destroyed the door?" Mr. Weasley asked surprise in his voice.
"Yes, they had Harry in a room with two big locks on the door. I was going to open the locks but she just blew the door out of the way," Hermione said.
"The door and over half the wall. It took us a while to fix that," Mr. Weasley replied shaking his head.
"That is an easy spell," George, the twin currently with the family, muttered under his breath forgetting his father was right beside him.
"Not when there is so much magical residue that the wall can't rebuild," His father said looking at George.
"What?" Ron asked.
"When she blasted that wall Ginny cast such a strong spell that the wall wouldn't rebuild until we got rid of all her spell's residue. The bets were Hermione cast that spell, but Moody said that only Ginny had the raw power and emotional attachment to do it," Arthur said looking at His wife.
It was late evening when a med-witch approached the table in the tea room asking "Are you the family of Mr. Potter?"
"Yes," Molly said without hesitation.
"Good, The young lady said to look for a crowd of redheads," She said with a smile continuing, "Harry has been moved to a private room and is ready to see a few visitors, but they can only stay for a short time. If you will follow me," She said stepping away from the table.
"Molly you, Ron and Hermione go first The rest of us can wait a few minutes," Arthur said well aware of how nervous his wife would be until she saw Harry.
"Can three of us go in?" Molly asked.
"If you don't excite him."
"The one who excites him is with him now," George muttered under his breath.
"George!" Mrs. Weasley said glaring at her son.
"It's the truth," George rebutted starting to match eyes with he mother only to quickly lower them to the floor as her glare hardened.
"Speaking of the young lady, She will not leave him. When I tried I saw the business end of her wand. I was thinking about putting a cot in his room for her. What is your opinion."
"I don't think she's going to leave him without a fight," Hermione said looking straight at Molly as she spoke.
"The cot might be a good idea," Molly said reluctantly as they arrived at Harry's door.
"I'll go make the arrangements then. Please keep your visits short," The Healer said.
Molly pushed the door open to be greeted by a wand aimed at her from Harry's bedside. "Oh sorry Mum," Ginny said lowering the wand and watching her mother, Hermione and Ron enter.
"Ginny you are in St. Mungo's you can relax," Molly said.
"Tell that to Broderick Bode," Ginny said mentioning the Ministry worker killed last year in St. Mungo's.
"Ginny they have increased security since then."
"Not enough," Ginny said firmly.
"How is Harry?" Molly said changing the subject knowing now was not the best time for an argument.
"Okay, They can't give him any Skele-Gro to repair his broken bones because of his internal injuries. So they are trying to cure those first."
"He's looking better," Hermione said. Noting the clean bandages and a Harry now free of dried blood.
"Amazing what a little proper care will do isn't it," Ginny sarcastically replied.
"Ginny!" Her mother admonished. Thinking that if this is better she really didn't want to know what he looked like before.
"Sorry Hermione," Ginny replied in a tired voice.
"No need I was there with you. Has He come around yet?"
"Not really, He woke up during the ride here and asked me not to leave him. I think they gave him sleeping draught when they were treating him. At least he hasn't woken up since we arrived here."
"What about you?"
"That Healer promised me a cot to sleep on. I hope she wasn't lying."
"No, she was going to make arrangements after she showed us here," Molly said.
"I can't believe it," Ron said looking over his friend.
"Believe it Ron. When I saw Harry I was ready to hex the lot of them and I would have but we needed to get Harry here first," Hermione said.
"Now you three," Molly said trying to stave off this discussion.
"Don't worry Mum, while they were treating Harry I had to think, accept their behavior for what it was and move on. I realized if I didn't I'd be doing just what the death eaters do torturing Muggles for mine and Harry's satisfaction," Ginny said forcing a smile on her face.
"Good girl, Now if you two would follow her example," Molly said looking at Hermione and Ron.
"Yes Mum," They both replied.
"I'm going out in the hall and let your father come in," Molly said reaching for the door.
"Hi, Ginny. How's your patient?" Her father called as he walked in a few minutes later and stood beside her.
"Hurt really bad Dad,"
"Don't worry he will recover. Now your Mum said you could stay here. She'll bring you some clean clothes then take those home and wash them. Tell Harry when he comes around that we've taken Hedwig to the Burrow."
Ginny just nodded grateful they were going to allow her to stay.
"Come on you two let them get some rest," Mr. Weasley said after insuring for himself that Harry was properly treated.
Two days later Harry was still sleeping. Hermione was ridding in with her folks as they went to work and spending her days with Ginny doing her best to encourage her and insuring the girl ate breakfast and lunch. When Hermione left to go home Mrs. Weasley would arrive and spend the evening hours with Ginny. Nights were Ginny's time alone with Harry she talked to him as she laid on her cot telling him the day's news, and everything she wanted to put into her letters but was afraid to, until she fell asleep.
Harry was floating just as he had been for what felt like forever when there was a movement that forced him to the surface as he became aware of the light hitting his eyes Harry called out, "Ginny?"
"Harry, you are awake!" Ginny said smiling as she rose from her cot to see his face.
"Where are we?" Harry asked trying to look around but finding himself unable to move around. Shortly his view of a bland white ceiling was broken by a mass of red. Harry's eyes focused on Ginny's face before drifting lower.
"St. Mungo's, you've been here for four days," Ginny replied happy he was awake then she noticed where he was looking and a blush started to spread up from her neck.
"Oh, how did I get here?" Harry asked looking up at her face before his eyes fell lower a second time of their own volition. If I wasn't so tired and didn't ache this much. Harry thought as his mind recorded the sight before him for future recall.
"Hermione and I brought you in her mother's car. I'm afraid we did a little damage at the Dursley's getting you out."
"Good, Ginny I'm sorry but I'm really sleepy," Harry whispered as his head fell back onto the pillow and his eyelids closed.
Ginny waited until she was sure he was resting comfortable then took the opportunity to use the room's loo studying herself in its mirror, she was wearing a rather worn pajama top she'd 'borrowed' from Percy. It was a little snug and offered far more than a hint of what was beneath. Good thing he's sick this doesn't hide much Ginny thought before returning to her cot.
The next morning Hermione arrived to find Ginny calling out. "Watch Harry." as she ducked into the bathroom followed a few moments later by the sound of the shower running. She's up and going early today. Hermione thought. A half an hour later Ginny emerged wearing a nice skirt and blouse under her robes.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked.
"What do you mean?"
"You haven't spent this much time away from him since you and Harry got here."
"He woke up last night," A very happy Ginny said trying to keep at least her voice calm.
"Harry woke up! That's great news."
"I thought so. Unfortunately he was only awake for a few minutes. I think the Healer on duty thought I was dreaming it. When he wakes up next I wanted to be cleaned up and dressed."
Hermione and Ginny spent the rest of the morning in normal conversation until just before noon when Harry opened his eyes and started complaining of hunger. Hermione dashed out of the room returning in moments with a Healer.
"Mr. Potter how do you feel?" the Healer asked looking him over.
"Hungry,"
"I'll have some soup here shortly. One of our house elves will help you with it. We've had to hold off fixing your broken bones until we had repaired your internal injuries and you were able to ingest the Skele-Gro."
Finishing her exam then Healer looked at Harry saying, "For the shape you were in when you arrived you are looking good," As she left.
"Harry Potter you had us worried," Ginny said trying to glare at him and failing badly.
"Sorry."
"Do you want to talk about what happened?" Hermione asked.
Harry's reply of "Not really," was interrupted by the appearance of a house elf with his soup.
As the elf approached Harry Ginny stopped him and took the soup saying, "I will help him with it."
The house elf nodded and disappeared as Ginny started to feed Harry.
Hermione stayed for a while then left when she realized Harry's world consisted of Ginny and little else. His eyes never left her and hers never left him. When Hermione returned an hour later Ginny was quietly talking to a sleeping Harry. "Hi Ginny," Hermione said softly approaching the bed.
"Hermione where did you go?"
"I floo'ed over to the Burrow and had lunch with your mum."
"I guess I should eat," Ginny said knowing that Hermione's arrival signaled her lunch time.
"I brought you lunch," Hermione said holding out a container Mrs. Weasley had given her.
"There's enough here for three people," Ginny said looking in.
"Oh, a Ron sized portion," Hermione countered with a smile.
"For a snack," Ginny added chuckling for moment before quietly asking, "So how is Ron? I haven't seen him around."
"Your Mum didn't tell you?"
"Tell me what?" Ginny asked suddenly concerned.
"There was a slight accident at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes the day after we brought Harry here. Ron was the main casualty. He has been multicolored for the last few days. Fred and George are betting it will wear off soon but Ron didn't come and visit you and Harry because he was afraid he might get his brothers in trouble if anyone saw him."
"I wish someone had taken pictures."
"These don't exist. Ron would kill me if he knew I had them," Hermione said passing a couple of pictures to Ginny.
"Oh Merlin. Hermione how did you get these?"
"When you see me tutoring Colin next term remember these."
"It was worth it," Ginny replied smiling at the pictures of a multi-colored Ron.
"I thought so."
"So how is it snogging a multi-colored Ron?"
"Just like snogging a normal Ron. I snog with my eyes closed." Hermione said a twinkle in her eyes.
That evening Ginny was relaxing on her cot just letting her mind drift when Harry looked over asking, "Ginny why don't you go back to the Burrow."
"Don't you like having a room mate?" Ginny asked looking at him.
"I really enjoy your company, but I'm afraid someone might get the wrong idea."
"Dad and Mum have no problem with me being here and if someone else says anything they'd best not let my brothers hear it," Ginny said looking into his eyes.
A tired Harry said, "Ginny have they said when I have to go back to my Aunt and Uncle's?"
"If Mum has her way you are never going back there again. You should have seen the discussion she and Dumbledore had yesterday in here. I couldn't hear it because He cast a silencing charm on them but I can read mum and she really told him off. After he took the charm off Dumbledore said something about continuing this discussion after Christmas so I think you are with us until school at least," Ginny said watching his chest slowly rise and fall as he relaxed.
"Good, See you in the morning." Harry said mumbling the last as he drifted off to sleep. With Ginny following shortly dreaming of a dark haired, green eyed boy on a broom.
Hermione arrived early the next morning to see several healers clustered outside Harry's room. "She's sealed the room. We can't get in..." One of the healers said when he recognized Hermione.
"Have you called anyone?" Hermione asked.
"We are trying to figure out how to contact her folks but I think someone's called the ministry."
"Call out "The Burrow" on the Floo network and ask for Mrs. Weasley to come. I'm going in." Hermione said approaching the door. "Ginny it's Hermione let me in," Hermione said to the sealed door.
"Prove it."
Hermione racked her brain trying to find a way that would let Ginny know it's her but not give out any secrets. Then it hit her, "My boyfriend is multi-colored."
"Okay, come in by yourself," Hermione heard through the door.
"Show Mrs. Weasley here when she arrives." Hermione said before stepping through a slight opening in the door which quickly sealed behind her. Once inside Hermione looked around spotting a Healer laying on the floor at the foot of a still sleeping Harry's bed in a full body bind. Her mouth was moving rapidly but there was no sound. Ginny had obviously cast a silencing charm. "Ginny what happened."
Motioning to the Healer Ginny said, "That one tried to sneak in and give that to Harry," Ginny said indicating a stoppered bottle labeled Skele-Gro lying on the floor next to her.
"So why the full body bind?"
"Something isn't right. I don't know what's wrong but she didn't feel right so I followed Ginny rule Number 1."
"Which is?"
"Protect Harry," Ginny said as Harry slowly stirred in the bed beside her.
"You don't think this is a real Healer?"
"I've never seen her before."
"Could you relax the spells a little so I can summon a hospital elf?"
"Okay," Ginny said waving her wand around.
"I need a hospital elf!" Hermione called out loudly speaking to the air. Within seconds there was a pop and an elf looking remarkably like Winky stood in front of her. "And you are?" Hermione asked.
"Blinky, the hospital elf you called for."
"Blinky, do you know this Healer?" Hermione asked.
Blinky took a long look at the Healer lying bound on the floor then said, "Blinky is very sorry but she does not know all the Healers."
"Then you do not know this one?" Ginny asked.
"Blinky is sorry miss, but Blinky does not know this Healer, but Blinky is sure she is a fine Healer if she works at St. Mungo's."
"Thank you Blinky. You may go." Hermione said watching Blinky leave then watched as Ginny redid her seals on the room. "Ginny I think you were right," Hermione said as Ginny finished.
"Okay, so what do we do now?"
"We sit and wait for reinforcements," Hermione said un-clipping her wand as she watched Harry settle back in a restless sleep.
"Ginevra Molly Weasley you unseal this door this instant!" came through the door loud and clear minutes later.
"Mum's here," Ginny said stating the obvious.
"What's going on?" Harry asked waking up at the sound of Molly's voice.
"Hi sleepy head, Ginny and I are just having some fun. Relax and rest," Hermione said.
Then as Ginny nodded she called out, "Mrs. Weasley we are going to unseal the door for you but if Ginny or I see anyone we don't know they are getting hexed and the door resealed. Then we will discuss it. You and anyone else out there we know can come in."
Ginny opened the door slight and Her mother entered followed by Professor Moody and a third individual neither girl recognized. Ginny called out, "Hermione!" as she re-sealed the door.
Hermione was all ready calling out, "Petrificus Totalus" followed instantly by "Wingardium Leviosa" as she moved the now rigid individual to the corner farthest from Harry.
"Hermione that's Tonks," Professor Moody said while muttering to himself, "Serves her right I told her to assume a look you would recognize."
"Oh," Hermione said as Mrs. Weasley nodded her agreement with Moody.
"So what's going on?" Mrs. Weasley asked as Hermione went to revive Tonks.
"And who is this?" Professor Moody asked looking at the Healer bound on the floor.
"It's a long story," Ginny said.
"So start at the beginning," Her mother said.
Ginny told the story with Hermione helping out on the parts she knew. "That was very perceptive of you to call for an elf. Even more to understand what she was really saying," Moody said.
A now un-petrified Tonks asked, "What do you mean really saying."
"Hermione would you like to explain," Moody asked.
Hermione looked at Tonks saying, "Elves know their homes like no other creature. When Blinky said she did not know this Healer she really meant the person did not work here. Blinky said it again when she added, "If she works at St. Mungo's" That was the clincher for me."
"Quite right," Moody said causing Hermione to beam.
"Let me try to redeem myself. Ginny felt something was not right. That was because the Healer tried to sneak in. A Healer would turn on the lights and walk in like it was her room because to them this is all theirs we just visit." Tonks stated
"That's it," Ginny said glad her intuition had a proper explanation.
"You are learning. Now if you could learn there are times when surprise is a bad idea," Moody said.
Tonks blushed and asked, "What now?"
"You stay and keep an eye on Ginny's prisoner. I'm going to talk with the Hospital staff and then I'll be back. Miss Weasley if you would please," Moody said approaching the door.
After he left Mrs. Weasley looked at Harry saying, "Dumbledore and the rest of us were wondering what happened at Privet Drive."
Harry looked around noting he was the center of attention. " They said a few things and I said some other things in response then I made the mistake of falling asleep without securing the bedroom door from the inside. Next thing I know I'm getting beaten, then Ginny found me," Harry said looking at Mrs. Weasley willing her not to ask what either side said.
"Okay, We will continue this shortly," She said smiling her motherly smile.
Professor Moody returned and confirmed that the Healer was an impostor. After he had Ginny release her bindings Moody redid them and with Tonks trailing behind escorted the impostor to the Ministry.
Ginny unsealed the room for Moody and Tonks to leave then left it open. Their first visitor was the Head Healer who apologized for the lapse in security and thanked Ginny for her quick actions. Once he left there was a steady stream of visitors. In the first batch was Harry's normal Healer who made a point of telling Ginny that she would be back with some Skele-Gro potion for Harry just before bedtime adding "If it isn't me don't let them give him anything."
Ginny's thank you was almost lost as her father, Dumbledore and Professor Lupin entered the room. "If we could have some privacy." Dumbledore asked causing everyone to leave but the three of them, Mrs. Weasley and Ginny. Once they were alone Dumbledore said, "Harry the time has come to tell us what went on at the Dursley's, The complete version."
"Professor do I have to do this in front of the Weasley's? Can't I just tell you and Professor Lupin?"
"Does this have to do with Miss Weasley?"
If one looked closely as Dumbledore did they could detect a blush creeping up Harry's face under the bruises that colored most of his visible skin. "Yes Professor."
"Ah then you need to make a decision. Do you tell us without telling her first?" Dumbledore continued.
"That wouldn't be fair to her. Would you all please excuse Ginny and I for a minute then I will tell all of you."
"A wise move Harry," Dumbledore said as he turned and left with the others following him.
Alone with Ginny Harry rolled his head to look at her, "Well Harry what do I have to do with your being in here?," Ginny asked puzzled.
"You know those pictures you sent me?"
"Yes," Ginny replied remembering how happy she'd been when Colin had sent her pictures of Gryffindor's Quidditch cup celebration and included copies for Harry.
"One night just before bed Dudley saw them sitting out and started making some very crude comments about the girls in them."
"And?" Ginny asked thinking One more reason to avoid sending Harry back to those relatives.
"When he commented about Hermione and her hair I pictured what Hermione would do to him and chuckled then he started in on you and various things he wanted to do to you. I lost it bad. I told him if he didn't want to live the rest of his life as a bald eunuch with bad breath and a tail he'd better stop. He left the room and after I sent off that last letter to you, I went to sleep. I guess he told his father because when I woke up he and uncle Vernon were beating me with sticks or something. All the while screaming, "This will teach you to threaten us," Harry said looking at Ginny for her reaction.
"You got mad because he said he wanted to..."
"Yea, I've been thinking about it when I can and..." Harry said stopping he didn't want it to come out like this but he could see no other options.
"And what Harry?" Ginny asked her heart beating hard in her chest.
"Ginny I have feelings for you. I always want you around and when you smile my day is made. I know you've gotten over me but can you tolerate me until I get over you."
With tears flowing out of her eyes Ginny smiled saying, "Harry I've never gotten over you," and went to hug him barely stopping herself when she remembered his broken arm and other injuries. Instead she settled for a kiss on his lips. "I suppose we should let them back in," Ginny said several moments later.
"Yes, but it should be easier to tell them now that you know," Harry said smiling.
Dumbledore and the rest returned when Ginny opened the door. "Are you ready now Harry?"
Harry glanced at Ginny who was standing next to her mother then repeated what he'd told Ginny leaving off the last few personal comments. As he did Dumbledore asked for far more detail about what had been said and Harry supplied the details causing Ginny and him to blush on several occasions. When Harry finished Mr. Weasley said, "Dumbledore those two need to be dealt with. Let me take care of it, Ginny is my daughter and Harry's... Well Harry's as dear to me as anyone of my boys."
"Dad, let it go," Ginny said speaking up from her place beside Harry.
"But Ginny."
"Dad, Harry and I have moved on. Besides if Dudley comes anywhere near me he'd prefer being a bald eunuch to what I can come up with," Ginny said smiling.
"That's my girl," Her mother said looking at her.
"A wise yet surprising comment," Dumbledore said looking at Ginny before turning to Harry and adding "Harry I am sorry to have put you through that but I had to be certain. I fear this means your protection from that source is at an end."
"Does this mean I don't have to go back there?"
"That's one of the consequences," Dumbledore said a smile on his face.
Harry's question of, "But where..."
Was interrupted by Mrs. Weasley's comment of, "Harry Potter you will live at the Burrow. Right were you should have been all along."
"Now Molly," Arthur said looking at Remus Lupin.
"Remus can visit. Right now Harry needs a mother's care," Mrs. Weasley replied in a firm tone that dared anyone to argue with her.
"Thank you Mrs. Weasley," Harry said tears running down his face. He was wanted, really wanted.
"With that settled I'm sure Ron, Miss Granger and some others wish to visit. I will be going," Dumbledore said leaving.
"Harry you know if you need anything..." Lupin said as he stood looking down.
"You're the last marauder Professor. I need you more than ever," Harry said looking up at his parent's friend.
As tears formed in his eyes Lupin said, "I'd better get going I've got to help Dumbledore. There's plenty to do at Hogwarts when you're the Dark Arts teacher."
"Remus that's great!" Harry exclaimed.
"Keep it under your hat, You too Ginny no one's to know until the sorting feast," Lupin said firmly.
"Okay, Professor," Ginny replied watching Remus leave with Dumbledore allowing her brother Ron enter with Hermione.
"Hey Harry," Ron said.
"Hey Ron, Hermione I'd get up but," Harry said moving his one unbroken but still sore arm.
"No Skele-Gro yet?" Hermione asked.
"Tonight," Ginny replied.
"Hermione I wanted to thank you and your Mother for all you did," Harry said.
"Mum wants to meet you when you're well. You can thank her then," Hermione said as Mr. & Mrs. Weasley left leaving the foursome alone.
"So what did Dumbledore want?" Ron asked when his father closed the door.
"He wanted to know exactly what happened at the Dursley's."
"So what did happen?" Ron asked.
"Ron!" both Hermione and Ginny exclaimed.
"What?" Ron exclaimed in confusion.
"Ron he may not want to talk about it again," Hermione said looking at him while wondering, admittedly not for the first time, if his brain was connected to his mouth.
"So he tells me that. Sheese."
"Actually Ron, Hermione's right can we talk about that later, much later."
"Okay, So have they said when you can leave?"
Hermione just groaned at Ron's lack of sensitivity. While Harry said, "Not yet mate, but I'm coming to the Burrow when I get out."
"Great!" Ron said smiling as Harry turned his head to look at Ginny. A move that Hermione saw and made a note to as Ginny about when there were no boys around.
Harry was overcome by a sudden feeling of being very tired when he mentioned this to Ginny she replied, "I expected this, today has been stressful why don't you just go to sleep. The three of us will just visit quietly then I will wake you for dinner, you'll take the Skele-Gro and sleep through the night."
"You won't leave me will you?" Harry asked looking at Ginny.
"No my love, I will be by your side until we are at the Burrow at least," Ginny replied as she brushed her fingers through his still messy hair and for longer than that if I can figure a way around mum. She added mentally.
Ron looked at Hermione wide eyed as he heard Ginny's reply. They gathered on her cot Ginny casting a one way silencing spell so Harry could sleep but she could hear him if he needed her.
"You are getting better with your silencing spells," Hermione said.
"I've had to. Harry needs his rest."
"Do mum and dad know?" Ron asked.
"Know what?"
"About you and Harry." Ron added.
Ginny was puzzled for a moment then realized what they'd overheard. "I am fairly sure they've figured it out based on some comments mum made but I need you two to keep it quiet. The four that were in here earlier and you two are the only one's that know."
"That's Okay, Ginny we'll keep your secret," Hermione replied as Ron nodded in agreement.
Then next morning the Healer knocked at the door and waited until Ginny called out, "Come in."
"They told me to make sure you know me before going any further," The Healer said puzzled.
"Oh yes, you're the one that was on vacation. The day shift Healer described you when she gave Harry the Skele-Gro last night. Come on in Harry had a restless night," Ginny said trying to smile.
"Skele-Gro normally causes that," The Healer said adding after she made several passes with her wand over Harry's entire body. "He looks fine all we need to do is remove these splints and he will be able to move. I've been asked to tell you they'd like to do another complete checkup just before lunch."
"That's fine," Harry said flexing his arms and legs as the splints came off. "Now can I use the loo on my own?" he added putting his feet over the side of the bed.
"You might be a little unsteady on your feet," The Healer said moving to stand on Harry's right as he slid off the bed onto his feet before continuing gingerly to the bathroom.
"If he has any problems call me," The Healer said to Ginny as she left.
Several minutes later Ginny heard Harry calling her name, "What's up Harry?" she replied.
"I can't get up."
Ginny not thinking, quickly entered the loo to find Harry still seated pajamas down around his ankles. "Uh Ginny I'm..." Harry replied blushing to the top of his head.
"Harry I've got six brothers I know what's where. Now give me your hand." Ginny replied choosing not to mention she had helped bath him when he arrived at St. Mungo's. The Healer had needed help and she didn't bother to explain that things had not progressed very far between her and Harry.
"Ginny could you at least close your eyes?"
"All right," Ginny said once she had both his hands in hers she closed her eyes and pulled Harry up to his feet.
"Oh Merlin."
"What now Harry?"
"I can't reach my bottom's."
"Can you steady yourself?"
"Yes," Harry replied taking one of his hands out of Ginny's and grabbing the sink.
"Good now you will have to tell me where they are," Ginny said kneeling down and patting the floor where she figured they were until she felt cloth.
"Ah Ginny could you grab them in a different place?"
"Why, Oh yea," Ginny replied when she realized where her hand was positioned, she slid her fingers several inches along the waistband to a less delicate area.
"That should do it now hold your hand to your left and stand up. Slowly!" Harry said adding the last as Ginny's rapid rise threatened him with bodily harm.
After removing his other hand from Ginny's and adjusting the bottoms slightly Harry said "Okay, you can open your eyes,"
"Well that was interesting," Ginny said smiling at Harry.
"Yea I can just see Ron's face when you tell him you had to help me get dressed," Harry said with a chuckle.
"Ready to go back to bed?"
"Yes," Harry said putting an arm around Ginny's shoulders using her more for moral support than anything else as they made their way back to his bed.
It was early the next evening when Mr. Weasley arrived with a Ministry limousine. Ginny woke Harry up from his nap and together they exited St. Mungo's and entered the Limousine. "Dad this is fancy," Ginny said looking around.
"Yes well we needed a car with lots of protection. There's a car in front of us and two behind us filled with Aurors.
"So why don't we just use a portal key to get home."
"This is being done with minimal magic to avoid attracting attention," Arthur replied as they moved down the highway towards the Burrow just outside the village of Ottery St. Catchpole.
"Okay Dad what's up?" Ginny asked.
"What do you mean Ginny?" Her father replied.
"All this is a little overboard don't you think." She said motioning around then staring her father down.
Harry's attention bounced between Ginny and her father wondering who would win the battle of wills.
"All right, this will come out soon anyway, but right now this is a big secret. Arabella Figg's house was destroyed a few days ago." Arthur said.
"Death eaters." Harry said firmly.
"You are correct Harry."
"What about Mrs. Figg?" Harry asked concerned for his old baby-sitter.
"They think she is dead." Arthur replied.
"But is she okay?" Ginny asked.
"They think she is dead." Arthur repeated nodding his head.
"Okay." Ginny replied returning the nod.
Two hours later Harry was standing with an arm over Ginny and the other around Ron as they escorted him into the Burrow. "Take him up to your room Ron," Mrs. Weasley said as they entered the kitchen.
"Mum he's going in my room it's closer to the bathroom by a floor and Harry's in no shape to climb stairs just yet," Ginny said firmly as they headed towards the stairs.
"Ginny," Her mother said in that warning voice all mother's have.
"Mother, I will be fine besides Harry's too worn out to try anything right now," Ginny said looking at Harry and winking.
"Ginny you have a good point about the stairs but I still don't like the idea of you having a boy staying in your room even if it is Harry. No offense Harry."
"None taken," Harry replied stiffly as Ron and Ginny stood with him at the base of the stairs.
"But mum I've been sleeping in his room at St. Mungo's for a week now and you had no objections."
"Things are different now." Molly replied while thinking His arms and legs aren't broken now.
Ginny looked at her mother saying firmly, "Harry's in my room with me. Once he's settled we'll talk," Then with Ron's help she got Harry up the stairs and into her room.
"Ginny I'm sorry I should have gone elsewhere," Harry said as he sat down onto her bed upset they were fighting about him.
"Don't worry Mum and I will have a quick girl talk, it will be fine and I'll be right back."
Ginny descended the Burrow's stairs heading for the kitchen and her mother with fire in her eyes.
"Mum we need to talk," She said when she arrived.
"Ginny I don't like..."
"Mum how long does it take to get pregnant?"
"What?" Molly asked confused by this turn of events.
"How long does it take for a boy to get a girl pregnant?"
"I'm not sure."
"From the talk at school I figure ten to fifteen minutes alone with a boy could do it quite well," Ginny said.
"Yes I suppose it could at that," Molly acknowledged.
"Good, How many times over the last three years have I had a chance to be alone with Harry for that long at the Burrow?"
"Oh my, any number of times,"
"That is right. Now if I want to get pregnant it's going to happen rather Harry's recovering in my room or not. So just relax. I don't intend to get pregnant before I'm married," Ginny said heading back up to her room and Harry.
"It's not what you intend that's got me worried," her mother said quietly as she watched her daughter ascend the stairs.
Over the next few weeks Mrs. Weasley watched as Ginny cajoled, flattered, bribed, and negotiated with Harry getting him to do the things he needed to do in order to get better. Once as she was headed up to Ron's room she overheard Ginny in her room giving Harry a chewing out in private that impressed even her. My little girl isn't so little anymore. She thought chuckling as Harry responded to Ginny's chewing out with a "Yes Doctor Weasley," But it was working, Harry's health was improving almost hourly.
The morning of Harry's birthday Ginny woke first and nudged Harry awake as she passed his bed before she took her clothes from the dresser and slipped into the bathroom. When she returned 20 minutes later fully dressed she stopped outside her room and asked, "Okay Harry?"
"I'm covered." Harry replied opening the door for Ginny.
"Happy Birthday Harry." Ginny said smiling as she busied herself tidying up her bedroom.
"What's the occasion?"
"Hermione's coming for your birthday and we girls might want to get away and talk for a few minutes. I don't want her thinking I've turned into a boy."
Harry took the hint and made his bed insuring everything of his was either neat or out of the way in case Hermione wanted to sit on his bed.
Down in the kitchen Mrs. Weasley greeted Harry with a hug, "Happy birthday Harry, we will have your party at dinner when Arthur can join us."
"That's okay Mrs. Weasley you don't have to throw me a party. I know I haven't been the most pleasant of house guests," Harry said.
"Nonsense, All my children have birthday parties regardless of how they behaved during the year. If I can give Fred and George birthday parties after all they got into you have nothing to worry about Harry dear." She replied.
Harry just looked at Mrs. Weasley fighting back the tears that wanted to appear in his eyes before he quickly disappeared into the living room.
Ginny saw Harry leave but she stayed put fighting the urge to get up and go with him realizing that he just needed a moment to get his emotions back under control.
"What's up with Harry?" Ron asked looking at Ginny.
"Mum just called him one of her children."
"Well he knew he was family." Ron said confused.
"Ron, ask Hermione when she gets here she'll tell you the difference." Ginny replied as she saw Harry return.
"Hi Ron, did you get your room clean?" Harry asked sitting down and helping himself to the large tower of pancakes that was sitting in the middle of the table.
"What? Why did you ask that?"
"Ginny made sure her room was ready in case she and Hermione wanted to girl talk. I just thought that you might have cleaned yours up in case you and Hermione wanted to talk privately."
"Harry mate you are spending way too much time with Ginny! You are even starting to think like a girl." Ron replied shaking his head. But Harry and Ginny both noted that after breakfast he quickly returned to his room where a good deal of noise was made
Just before 11 a.m. Hermione appeared in the fireplace a small suitcase in her hands. "Ginny!" Hermione squealed rushing over and gathering her in a hug. "Hi Harry, happy birthday." Hermione said giving him a more subdued hug.
"Thanks Hermione, Ron will be right down He's been up in his room cleaning." Harry said.
"Ron cleaning?" Hermione asked.
"Someone gave him the idea that if you and he wanted to talk privately you two would need a place to do it." Ginny said as Harry slipped his hand into hers.
Hermione noticed the gesture and filed it away for this afternoon's session with Ginny.
"Hi Hermione always a pleasure to see you. Now Ginny why don't you show Hermione the room she will be staying in. I need to get lunch ready." Mrs. Weasley said.
"Mrs. Weasley can I help? I've read up on magical cooking but I need to learn first hand how to do this." Hermione asked.
"Of course you can. After you settle in come back down and you can help me prepare lunch." Mrs. Weasley replied.
Hermione followed Ginny upstairs where Ginny stopped at a room and opened the door. "Isn't this Percy's room?" Hermione asked.
"Used to be. I'd steer clear of any mention of him around my family especially Ron. Penelope is a safe topic. She and Mum are getting along better and better. Penelope is doing her best to bring everyone together and I'm doing what I can to help her on this end." Ginny said.
Hermione looked at girlfriend saying, "I'll help just let me know how."
"Thanks, I knew I could count on you. If you have any ideas how to get Ron on our side I'd love to hear them."
"Not just yet let me think on it. How are you and Harry doing?" Hermione asked with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Things are good. Harry still tires quickly but he is getting better. I guess it's like we are married but with only a small portion of the fun. I spend mornings working with Harry on the exercises the Healer gave him to do making sure he does them all. Afternoons we do school work. Evening are our time with any member of the family or order that are around. Then we climb in to our separate beds and talk for a while before Harry nods off. I read for a while longer before I go to sleep. The next day we get up and do it all over again." Ginny said shrugging her shoulders.
"Sounds like you and Harry have gotten close." Hermione replied a little envious of her best girl friend.
Ginny smiled before saying, "Yes, but I worry sometimes about what happens when he gets better and we are back at Hogwarts."
"I wouldn't worry too much about that if I were you. After all this is Harry and along with Ron they are the most loyal friends anyone has ever had. Now I really should go help your Mum." Hermione replied heading for the door.
When Hermione reached the bottom of the stairs Mrs. Weasley asked from the kitchen, "Hermione are you sure you don't want to spend time with your friends?"
"I'll have the next few days to visit with them." Hermione said continuing over to Mrs. Weasley.
"Come on Harry I'm not getting roped into helping." Ginny said giving Harry a tug.
"Game of Chess Ginny?" Harry asked sitting down beside the table.
Ginny thought for a moment then decided, "Sure Harry, You do realize the only one who's beaten me is Ron."
"No I didn't know that." Harry said as he was setting his pieces up. Ginny took the spare set from a shelf beside the board and set hers up.
Half an hour later the sound of a herd of elephants on the stairs announced Ron's arrival. "Hey when's Hermione due?"
"I'm not sure a little before lunch." Hermione replied from the kitchen as Ginny nudged Harry motioning to the bottom of the stairs where a surprised Ron hesitated for a fraction of a second before bolting to the kitchen.
Seeing his mother standing beside Hermione Ron suddenly became all tongue-tied and his arms stopped from their intended movement were waiving dangerously about. To her mother's eyes it appeared her son had been about to sweep Hermione up in his arms and twirl her around. Hermione had no hesitation in putting her arms around Ron and giving him a big hug. Ron responded by wrapping his arms around Hermione who visible relaxed against him enjoying the feelings. Not hearing a sound from the kitchen they interrupted their game as Ginny was slowly taking an advantage and went to check. "Hey Ron." Harry called out a few moments later as he and Ginny stood beside the fireplace his arm around Ginny's waist.
"Hey Harry." Ron replied raising his face from where it rested against Hermione.
Mrs. Weasley deciding not to comment on the obvious pairings said, "Now Hermione and I have prepared a nice little lunch. Why don't the three of you sit down and Hermione can practice levitating the plates to their proper place."
Harry watched Hermione her face the picture of concentration levitating the five plates off the kitchen counter over their heads stopping once she had them hovering over the table to adjust their positions slightly before landing them gently on the table correctly placed.
"Most impressive Miss Granger." A voice called from the kitchen doorway where the upper half was open to accommodate the summer breeze.
"Professor Dumbledore Come in." Molly said when she noticed who had made the comment.
"Mrs. Weasley Always a pleasure to see you." Dumbledore replied.
"Professor ever since I left Hogwarts I am Molly to you. Always will be."
"Thank you Molly. I wonder if I can talk to the current students in private."
"Of course, take them into the living room."
"I would prefer to see them individually." Dumbledore explained.
"Oh, in that case I will keep them in the kitchen until you call. A silencing spell might be a good idea." Molly said.
"Miss Granger as you will, no doubt, be the most nervous one here why don't you and I talk first." Dumbledore said leading the way into the living room.
"Go ahead. I'll keep everything just as it is until you get back." Mrs. Weasley said watching Dumbledore a slight frown on her face. A visit from Dumbledore on school business was unusual. Even when the twins acted up all she ever got was an Owl or two.
Once they had settled and a silencing spell had been cast Dumbledore looked at Hermione and asked, "I know you are looking forward to a relaxing sixth year but I have a very serious question. Would you be willing to join the Order of the Phoenix?"
"Of course. Professor but what would I do."
"You would be working on special projects for me. You would not be allowed to tell anyone, not even young Mr. Weasley nor Mr. Potter. They will know you are in the Order but they will not know what you are doing. The only people who would know what you are doing would be you and I."
"My answer is the same. I will fight Voldemort anyway I can." Hermione said firmly.
"Thank you, now would you be so kind as to have the youngest Mr. Weasley join me." Dumbledore said with a smile dismissing Hermione.
A nervous Ron walked in and sat down opposite Dumbledore asking, "I'm not expelled am I?"
"Not at all Mr. Weasley. I have come with an offer. We would like you to join the Order of the Phoenix."
"Really that would be great! Me and Harry battling death eaters." Ron replied.
"I'm sorry to inform you your position will be strictly strategic for the foreseeable future."
"What."
"Mr. Weasley the Order is trying to prevent the events of past years where a group of students did just that from repeating. Your skill at chess indicates that you would be very valuable addition to the Order analyzing what Voldemort is doing and planning strategy. The Order is opening a small office at Hogwarts and if you say yes you could be of great help to us."
"Of course Professor I will do what ever is needed." Ron said suddenly very serious.
"Thank you Mr. Weasley I think you will find this year quite interesting. Would you please call Miss Granger back. You should stay also."
A puzzled Ron stepped into the kitchen saying, "Hermione, Dumbledore wants to see us together."
Once they were seated Dumbledore said, "You both need to know the other has also joined the order now questions as to what any member of the order is doing are not allowed that also applies to you two. All you need to know is they are in the order also. There will be some surprising developments this year we are going to have a number of students teaching the first and possible the second years. When you are asked why you were not chosen for that both of you will respond that you are a Perfect and we didn't feel it would be right to give you any additional duties."
"Yes Professor." They replied nodding.
"I need to see Miss Weasley next." Dumbledore said excusing them.
"What did Dumbledore want." Mrs. Weasley asked when they sat down at the kitchen table as Ginny entered the living room.
"He said he would explain later." Hermione said to Mrs. Weasley looking meaningfully at Ron.
"You wanted me?" Ginny asked looking at Dumbledore.
"Miss Weasley how would you like to teach the first year students charms?"
"Oh my I don't..."
"Miss Weasley, Professor Flitwick has full confidence that you can teach this course."
Ginny stared at her hands for a while then looked up to see Dumbledore sitting back fingers tented calmly awaiting her answer. "I will do my best." She said feeling far more nervous than she sounded.
The scene was repeated with Harry but this time the question was different. "Mr. Potter, Professor Lupin would like your assistance in teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year. You will be primarily teaching the first and second years."
"If Remus wants my help with anything he's got it, Of course I will Professor."
"Good. Harry I have one additional item for you to think about. Sirius's will is being read in a week and as you are mentioned in it and you are a minor you will need an adult to represent your interests. Mr. Lupin is also mentioned in the will so he can not be your representative. Think it over and send an owl to the lawyer. Mr. Weasley has the name." Dumbledore said quietly.
Harry took the news without reacting then with barely controlled emotions asked, "Will I need to attend the reading?"
"That is your choice Mr. Potter. But in either case you will need an adult present acceptable to the Lawyers. Though I dare say any adult who is not mentioned in the will should be acceptable. Now let's go let Molly know what just transpired in her living room." Dumbledore said rising out of the chair.
"Molly I am pleased tell you that one of your children is a Prefect and the other will be teaching first year Charms class."
"What about my other children?" Molly asked glancing towards Harry and Hermione.
"Mr. Potter will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Lupin. Miss Weasley will be teaching first year Charms under Professor Flitwick while Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger are Perfects." Dumbledore said smiling a secret smile as he did. Then he reached into his robes and drew out four envelopes. "Thought I'd save an owl a trip these are your Hogwarts letters." He added passing them to Hermione who took hers and passed the rest around.
"You are coming tonight?" Molly asked Dumbledore.
"I am planning on it but I will only be able to stay a short time. Say long enough to enjoy some of your excellent cake."
"There will be a piece for you." Molly replied just before Dumbledore apparated.
"Our owl results are in the letters." Hermione said as she quickly stuffed her results back in to the envelope.
"Well how did you all do?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Nine owls Mum and I got outstanding in Defense against the Dark Arts and exceeds expectations in about everything else including potions." Ron said smiling.
"Harry?"
"Ten, Mrs. Weasley." Harry said a big grin on his face.
"Hermione how did you do?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"I think there's a mistake with mine." Hermione said trying to hide her envelope.
"Nonsense." Ron said grabbing her letter and opening it as a nervous Hermione watched.
"Fourteen owl's all outstanding, no one's ever gotten fourteen outstanding owls."
"Pass it here Ron." Mrs. Weasley said firmly. Ron quickly complied with his mother's request.
"May I?" Molly asked looking at Hermione. When she nodded Molly read the form. They could see her eyes widen in surprise. "Hermione you do have fourteen owls, the twelve standard owls and two awarded for extra credit work. I will check with Mr. Weasley but I don't recall anyone ever getting fourteen owls before."
"You don't have to Mum. Hermione what does "Hogwarts a History" say about owls?" Ron said teasingly.
"Fifteen used to be the maximum but they dropped several courses over the years, Fencing and Horsemanship being two. Currently the maximum number of owls should be 12." Hermione replied looking annoyed at Ron.
"See mum smart as a whip, that's one reason why I love her." Ron said before throwing his hands over his mouth and running upstairs to his room as he realized what he'd said.
Hermione sat in her chair her mouth hanging open in total shock at what Ron had just said. While Harry and Ginny just looked from Hermione to the stairs when Ron had fled and back again before looking at each other. "Finally!" Ginny exclaimed.
"About time if you ask me." Harry added.
Mrs. Weasley put her hand on Hermione's shoulder quietly saying, "If you feel the same way I suggest you go up to his room and tell him. Otherwise I'd better go up."
Hermione looked up at Mrs. Weasley then after a moments thought said, "No I'll go, I do love him Mrs. Weasley it was just such a shock."
"For him too I think." Mrs. Weasley said watching Hermione approach the stairs before she broke into a sprint up them.
"Now no teasing them. They've just made a major break through." Molly admonished Harry and Ginny.
Ginny didn't get her chance to talk with Hermione that afternoon. Hermione spent part of it in Ron's room convincing him the feelings he had were mutual before Mrs. Weasley chased them outside just in time to prevent any surprises. Once outside the four of them walked the Burrow's grounds, two couples hand in hand with just enough distance between them to allow private conversations.
When the four of them returned to the Burrow around three and found Mrs. Weasley had been cooking for the party since lunch Hermione said, "All this time I could have been learning so much."
"Hermione, I'm sure you enjoyed Ron's company a bit more than you would have mine. There will be plenty of time for you to learn what you need to prior to becoming a wife. However if you and Ginny want you can help me finish up." Mrs. Weasley said giving her a motherly look.
"I'd love to Mrs. Weasley." Hermione said smiling happily while Ginny's smile appeared to be rather forced as she moved to join her girlfriend.
"Ron, you go help your father set up the garden. Harry dear could you keep him company. The girls and I have work to do." Molly Weasley said looking at the two boys as if they were trespassing in a very dangerous area.
"Come on Harry, I know when to get out of the way." Ron said heading out the door with Harry right behind him.
"What's left to be done Mum?" Ginny asked once the boys were out of hearing distance.
"We need a birthday cake for Harry. I thought you might like to make it while Hermione helps me finish up the rest of the meal."
"Me make Harry's birthday cake?" Ginny asked startled that her mother would even consider letting her make it.
"Now you have made at least four cakes since you've been home and they have all turned out great. Even Ron praised your last cake. Besides I think it is time the boy sleeping in your room tastes your cooking."
"Mum!"
"Do it Ginny, I know you want to." Hermione said chipping in on Mrs. Weasley's side.
"Okay but I'm going to need help."
"Certainly just ask." Mrs. Weasley said.
An hour later Ginny had finished cooling the cake with her wand and was making the frosting. "Decided on a theme yet?" Molly asked her daughter.
"Yes, a Quidditch pitch."
I remember when I made one for Charlie before she was born. She's never done something that complex before. This should really test her abilities. We've got plenty of time to recover if it doesn't come out right. Molly thought but said, "Good, remember if you need help just let us know." Before returning to watch over Hermione and the rest of the feast's preparation.
Ginny frosted the cake with white butter cream frosting, her mother's special recipe. The she put her food colors out in little bowls beside the cake. Just before she picked up her wand she saw her mother look over and give her a nod of encouragement. Wand in hand Ginny faced the cake and closed her eyes visualizing just how she wanted the cake to look down to the smallest detail.
Hermione started to ask a question but Molly motioned her to keep quiet. Then mouthed the words "Just watch her and no magic."
Hermione watched for what felt like a long time before Ginny with her eyes still closed raised her wand and started weaving complex patterns over the plain white cake. As she did the different colors arched out of their bowls landing on the cake creating the design. A dollop of frosting rose out of the left over frosting drawing a sharp intake of breath from Molly who watched with surprise as it reformed into a black haired boy with glasses on a broom that was soon wearing the Gryffindor team colors and flying in random patterns above the cake. When Ginny opened her eyes and saw her creation she smiled.
"Ginny that is fantastic work." Hermione said as she came over with Mrs. Weasley to look at the finished cake.
"I couldn't have done better." Her mother said with obvious pride looking Ginny in the eyes.
"Thanks Mum, Hermione. It did come out nice didn't it."
"Nice? I've never seen a cake decorated that elaborate. You could have a future decorating cakes." Hermione said shaking her head at the thought of her girlfriend creating something so beautiful.
"She is right dear, You've really outdone yourself. I hate to say it but we should hide this so it doesn't ruin the surprise when Harry first sees it."
"May I?" Hermione asked raising her wand. At Mrs. Weasley's nod Hermione cast a spell creating a gray dome that hid the cake from view.
"It's solid too." Ginny said as she reached out and touched the dome.
"That is excellent work Hermione. I would say we're just about ready. Why don't you and Ginny go freshen up and get ready for the party while I just clean up the Burrow a little." Mrs. Weasley said waiving them out of the kitchen.
Hermione emerged from Percy's old room wearing a nice blouse with a