Disclaimer: None of Harry Potter is mine. I own nothing and all of it belongs to J.K. Rowling.
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Ch. 2
The Absence of a Flowery Scent
"Harry!" A female voice immediately shouted the minute Harry and Ron arrived at the Burrow.
Harry turned expecting it to be Hermione, but was surprised when he saw a blue-haired Tonks standing there along with Mrs. Weasley, Fleur, and Ginny.
The portkey had arrived right in the middle of the Weasley's kitchen, and had apparently interrupted the preparation of lunch.
While Mrs. Weasley, Tonks, and Fleur rushed toward them thrilled, Ginny looked the complete opposite.
She blushed to the roots of her hair the minute he arrived, muttered a quick hi to her brother and Harry and then asked, "Mum, I'm done, can I go to my friend's now?"
Mrs. Weasley released Harry from her vice grip she had put on him, and snapped, "Ginervia Weasley! Is that how you treat your boyfriend when you haven't seen him for a week?"
Tonks and Ron sniggered, as Harry turned beet red. Fluer on the other hand, scoffed while muttering something in French as she went back to adding ingredients in her stew.
"Sorry mum." Ginny replied avoiding Harry's look.
Meanwhile, Harry's head exploded with thoughts.
Did she want to get back together? Harry knew he couldn't do that, Putting his best friend's little sister in danger.
Someone who was like his own little sister. He had always thought of Ginny as Ron's little sister before Hogwarts last year, but when he'd gotten to Hogwarts something came over him. Something that was gone now.
"Don't tell me sorry, tell Harry." Mrs. Weasley snapped, bringing Harry back to reality. "I don't know just what's going on with you children. Back when Arthur and I were in school . . . "
"Sorry Harry." Ginny interrupted looking anywhere but Harry's eyes.
"Mrs. Weasley, Ginny and I aren't-" Harry started but Ginny interrupted him.
"Harry! I need to talk to you outside. Please?" She pleaded with her eyes.
Harry reluctantly followed the redheaded Weasley outside and thought he heard Tonks mutter as they left the room, "Young love . . . "
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Once they were safely outside and out of earshot from the house Harry burst out angrily, "HOW COULD YOU NOT HAVE TOLD THEM? I MEAN IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU COULD HAVE EASILY FORGOTTEN! AND NOW THEY THINK-"
"HARRY! Shut it for one moment please." Ginny burst out angrily.
She had been quietly saying "Harry." During his rant but when that hadn't stopped him. She had burst out, in frustration, finally gaining his attention.
Seeing Ginny close to tears now, he calmed down and said a bit annoyed, "Ginny, why wouldn't you have told them?"
"I thought you might change your mind. Harry . . . I know . . . I'd been waiting for us to go out since you saved me from the basilisk in my 1st year. And then you went out with that cow Cho . . . So I tried to move on . . . And when it finally happened . . . It was amazing . . . I dunno . . . I didn't want to let it go so easily."
Ginny blushed wildly even more after she said this, embarrassed by her speech, and sat down on a nearby rock.
"It came so unexpected. Suddenly you just kissed me . . . a kiss that lasted forever it seemed." Ginny said dreamily staring at her feet once more.
Harry remembered the moment very clearly. A felling had just come over him. The monster in his stomach had finally gotten his way.
Ron's look of, 'If you must.' And Hermione's face . . . beaming, after the kiss.
Everyone had come to congratulate them that night. Ron, Neville (who seemed a bit jealous but happy nonetheless), and Lavender who had congratulated Ginny heavily, acting like she was to thank for this happening.
Thinking back, he remembered one person who hadn't talked to him about his new relationship. Hermione. She went to bed early that night, and had gone to breakfast early the following morning. She had also been too busy to come to lunch with Ron and Harry the next afternoon.
It was Hermione's advice to Ginny which had finally led to Ginny and Harry's relationship. When he told her so, Hermione had replied very snappishly, "Well, of course. Ginny's my best girlfriend you know." Then she sprung up leaving quickly to the library.
Harry had felt so happy the next few weeks with Ginny.
But always, feeling very empty when she wasn't around. Unhappy. Like life wasn't worth it if Ginny wasn't involved.
Ginny suddenly stood up brining Harry back from his deep thoughts.
"I'm sorry Harry. I just thought . . . well . . . you know what I thought. I've already told you what I thought. I really liked you. And, even if we aren't going out, I want to still be your friend."
"So, that's why you didn't tell them? You thought I would change my mind?" Harry said confused suddenly.
"Well, yes and no. Ron was so happy about us going out. I didn't want to-" Ginny started.
"Wait! Ron was happy about this? He told me he was having a hard time accepting it. He was actually acting like he would rather we didn't, but because I was his friend . . . "
Ginny snorted at this and said, "What? Ron has wanted us to get together since my 3rd year! He actually hinted toward it once! Remember in the compartment? In my fourth year? I had just broken up with Michael and he said, "Maybe you'll choose someone better next time." And then he gives this look to you. You can't be that thick can you? Anyway Ron wants you out of the way."
Harry sat down on the rock Ginny had abandoned and asked, "Out of the way for what?"
Ginny opened her mouth about to answer, when Hermione suddenly apparated into view along with a loud crack.
"HARRY JAMES POTTER! HOW COULD YOU NOT RETURN MY OWLS? I WAS WORRIED SICK ABOUT YOU! YOU LOOKED SO AWFUL ON THE TRAIN, AND THEN YOU DON'T TALK TO ME ABOUT IT? DON'T EVER DO THAT TO ME AGAIN!" Hermione screamed as she gave him a hug similar to the one she had given to him two years ago after the dementor attack.
Ginny scowled, and said loudly, "Hermione, we were having a conversation."
Hermione broke away from Harry surprised. "Oh sorry. I just wanted to see Harry . . ."
"Well, you didn't have to interrupt our conversation to yell at him! He's been through a lot and he shouldn't be scolded at for not returning your owls. He has a choice whether or not to write back to you or not. And he doesn't need or want you to worry about him! Acting like you're his mother all the time!"
Hermione flushed as Ginny said this and glared at her. "Harry's my friend, and I care about him. I was worried sick, and you have no right to say that I can't worry about him. He was my best friend before he even noticed you!" Hermione snapped.
Harry who was slightly uncomfortable by now said quietly, "Ginny, it's nice to know Hermione cares enough about me to worry."
"Sure, take her side!" Ginny snarled as she turned on her heel, running toward the house.
"Are you two fighting?" Hermione asked Harry very stiffly.
"I was about to ask you the same thing." Harry answered.
Hermione blushed and muttered she hadn't thought so. She then changed the subject, "So, why haven't you been returning my owls?" She asked as Ron came out from the house and started coming toward them.
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"What did you two do to my sister? She's upset. Muttering something about Hermione." Ron asked as soon as he reached the two.
Hermione looked down guiltily as Harry asked, "Ron were you happy when you learned that Ginny and I would be going out?"
Ron looked a bit surprised at the question and answered quickly, "Harry I've told you this. I'm having a hard time accepting it, but you're my best mate, and I'll just have to learn to accept it." Then he grew more serious. "But if you ever hurt her I swear. You'll be in for the worst bat bogey curse in you life. And then you'll have to deal with me."
He had said the last part so seriously that Harry and Hermione had exchanged a quick look before bursting into laughter.
Ron looked alarmed. "What? She's my little sister, and I would have no choice."
Hermione succeeded in controlling her laughter and said, "Ron? Do you really think- well, er . . . never mind."
"WHAT?" Ron bellowed angrily.
"Ron, calm down." Harry said amused.
"You two always keep these things from me it's like little inside jokes that only you two get."
"Ron . . . "Hermione said calmly.
The two stared at each other for a bit, and Ron stopped. "Fine. Harry, Ginny just walked in the house if you want to talk to her."
"Thanks." Harry responded. He walked a bit and when he noticed they weren't following, asked, "You two aren't coming?"
Ron shook his head as Hermione said quietly, "We'll be here when you get back."
Harry continued on a bit confused. He soon found Ginny sitting alone in the Weasley's living room.
"Ginny, We have to tell them." Harry said as soon as he reached her.
"I know." Ginny answered sadly.
"Why are you upset with Hermione?" Harry asked.
Ginny didn't answer the question and instead asked one of her own. "Are Ron and Hermione going to go with you to your parent's graves?"
Harry hesitated. How did she know that?
Anyway, he couldn't tell her. Then Ron and Hermione would know how he felt about the whole thing. So instead he said, "If your mum will allow it."
Ginny scoffed, "She won't even want you to leave, Harry. How do you think she's going to feel about Ron and Hermione accompanying you?"
"It's something I have to do." Harry said, trying to make his tone making the matter seem final.
"I know that," Ginny pressed on, "but mum doesn't want you to get hurt."
"Well, what does she expect me to do when I have to try to kill Voldemort?" Ginny flinched slightly at his name but stood firm.
"You don't have to do this you know." She said, knowing it was untrue.
"Yes, I do." Harry said immediately. She didn't know about the prophecy, and Harry had no intention of telling her about it.
"Well, I don't think you have to. Putting yourself in danger for witches and wizards who you don't even know, and probably never will meet. People like Snape . . ." She trailed off when she met his eye.
The flowery scent Ginny had carried all year was gone, and in its absence was a pumpkin pie aroma.
"I can't believe you've just said that. That's exactly why I'm doing this. There are more good witches and wizards than bad ones. And it's not just for the wizarding community, the muggles also. He killed my mum and dad, Ginny. He killed Cedric. He killed so many other people. I have to kill him now. Or die trying." Harry said this angrily, waking up a snoozing Arnold.
Arnold waddled away, quickly startled. (A/N:does Arnold waddle?) Crookshanks seeing the pygmy puff leaving, got up and followed closely behind.
"Why you? Why not someone else?" Ginny snapped getting up.
Harry didn't answer and looked out the window that showed the garden.
He saw Hermione and Ron fighting as usual, a few gnomes lurking about, and Chrookshanks chasing the cuddly Arnold out back.
When Harry didn't answer Ginny spoke up, "I'm going with you."
"No, you aren't." Harry answered automatically.
"Ron and Hermione are. I helped you in the Department of Mysteries! I was controlled by V-Voldemort in my 1st year! I'm the same age you were when you were in the Department of Mysteries now! I was two years younger when I faced that! I'm going with you."
"Your mum would never allow it." Harry said growing annoyed. He already couldn't take Ron and Hermione and now Ginny was complaining?
"So? She won't allow Ron either! Nor Hermione. She won't allow you Harry! But is that stopping you?" Ginny snapped.
"I have to do this Ginny! Ron and Hermione insist on it, and I'm not even completely sure they're going yet." Not completely sure. He was 100% sure that Ron and Hermione wouldn't be going.
"Well, they are. And I am to. We care about you and don't want you to get killed!" Ginny insisted.
"Get killed like Dumbledore did? Or Sirius? Or maybe Cedric? All those deaths were my bloody fault and you don't seem to realize that! I have to kill Voldemort! I have to have my revenge! He killed my parents Ginny! They would still be alive if I had never been chosen! If Neville had instead of me!" Harry bellowed letting all of his anger and sadness and resentment flush out of him.
Ginny stood there in shock for a moment realizing what he had just been said to her. "What are you talking about Harry?" She asked slightly scared now.
"Nothing." Harry said coldly. "All I'm trying to tell you is, you aren't going with me. End of discussion."
Ginny huffed a bit, angry for not getting her way and muttered, "Ron and Hermione are going with you."
Harry groaned and tried to change the subject, "When are we telling your parents?"
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Harry and Ginny decided on telling the Weasley's of their split during dinner. They avoided each other for the rest of the day still angry from their argument before, and had spent a pleasant evening away from the other.
Harry and Ron had coaxed Hermione onto a broomstick and played a game of Quidditch, trying to hone Ron's keeper skills.
Harry had scored every shot, but Hermione was having much more difficulty getting past Ron, which boosted his ego by quite a lot.
Finally, Harry and Hermione came up with a play that earned Hermione's first goal. And Ron's second broken nose.
After fixing Ron's nose with a simple healing spell, Hermione had decided that it was time for the three of them to go in and help with dinner.
Once at the table, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were surprised at finding Luna Lovegood at the dinner table along with Ginny.
"Hey Luna." The trio said once they saw her.
"Hello Ron, Harry, Hermione. Glad to see that the Fluffle-Puff-Skin flu hasn't harmed you at all. An awful nasty spell of it going around right now."
Hermione rolled her eyes as Ron sat down, sarcasm dripping in his voice, "Really? Can you catch it from a Crumple-horned Snorkack? I've seen a lot of those wandering around."
Luna missing the sarcasm in his voice, smiled airily and said, "Really? Who did you complete the ceremony with?"
Ron surprised answered, "Oh, I did it ages ago with Hermione."
"Which one of you striped down naked and chanted the spell while the other smeared on marmalade?" Luna asked interested, though Harry noticed bit of jealousy in her voice.
Harry's hand slipped and he broke the glass of butterbeer he held. The contents spilling everywhere, while Ginny snorted. Mrs. Weasley, however, shot a reproachful look at Hermione (who blushed to her fullest extent shooting a glare at Ron) and told Ginny to refill Harry's glass. She obeyed quickly and returned to the kitchen four minutes later extremely high in spirits.
Ron muttered quickly to Luna, his ears turning red, that he had been thinking of another ceremony that they had preformed.
Halfway throughout the dinner Hermione accidently knocked over Harry's glass once again, and Hermione laughing slightly, got up to refill it.
When she returned, Ginny shot an angry look at Hermione who glared right back with the same intensity, and once the two broke eye contact, Harry whispered into Hermione's ear, "What's going on with you two? Did you have a row earlier or something?"
"No." Hermione answered back simply, as if nothing was wrong.
"Right." Harry said, wondering if he would ever understand girls.
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Bill had come home a few minutes later along with Mr. Weasley who seemed equally happy to see him once again.
"Oh, Harry. I wanted to ask you something about the wedding if you have a moment." Bill asked as soon as he saw him.
"Sure. I have time now if you like." Harry said curiously.
"Well, you're pretty much like a black-haired member of our family, and Fleur and I would be delighted if you would be a best man at the wedding."
Fleur nodded excitedly and added, "We would be very 'appy if you would be it. Zis best man."
Harry accepted, although he knew he would probably regret it later. He had never been to a wedding but from what he had heard of it, he decided it didn't seem like it would be that enjoyable for him. He had no girlfriend, and would probably stand back with Ron and Hermione the whole night watching couples happily dance away.
Pure hell in his opinion. But, he had faced worse. Escaping from Voldemort time after time were some of them.
However, he still felt that Bill and the Weasley's had done so much for him. He had to pay it back somehow. Anyway, what harm could, being a best man along with four other Weasley brothers do?
"Hermione's a bridesmaid as well. You two are the only in the wedding party that won't be related." Mrs. Weasley added, happy that Harry had accepted.
Harry stole a glance at Hermione who was biting her tounge not to say anything rude to Fleur who was happily discussing with her how 'zimply gorgeous' she would look in what was in Harry's opinion the ugliest dress in the world. Muggle or wizarding.
Harry gave her a warm, encouraging smile as he began eating his dinner, which Hermione returned gratefully.
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The family had taken Ginny and Harry's split better than he had expected. Mrs. Weasley seemed disappointed but nothing was worse than Ron's reaction.
He had dropped his fork, and as he attempted to say something, started choking on his piece of meat.
After Luna had done the Heimlich Maneuver on him, something which could have been done by magic, Ron pointed out afterwards, he had been considerably more quiet. Harry had noted also that he had been pointedly mentioning couples and how they have to work at their relationship so it can last.
When Harry told Ron and the rest of the Weasley's why he had broken up with her, Ron had completely stopped talking all together. Only muttering a brief 'goodbye' to Luna when she left.
As Harry lay in bed that night, thinking over what he might be doing in just a few months time, he caught a pleasurable light scent.
Falling asleep he recognized it as the scent of flowers. A light flowery smell.
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Okay there was chappie two. Harry wasn't really 'in love' with the 'monster roaring' in this chapter, but that will make a reappearance next chapter. Which is the sad truth. I'm trying to keep as much to 'canon' as possible, but I suck at those angsty stories so Harry's sad about Dumbledore but he's not showing it. Basically, he's reacting the same way he did when Sirius died. Also, since many Heron's consider H/Hr not 'canon' anymore . . . then this story really doesn't fall into the canon category does it? And . . . well that's about it for this chapter I think. The next one will be the wedding of Fleur and Bill, so that should be up soon. Hopefully.
I love Ron, he's awesome, but he's acting a bit weird here I think. I dunno why but he seems a bit OOC tell me what you think.
Ginny was a bit odd in this chapter too. Maybe it's just because I *strongly dislike* her so much. I don't know if it shows her. There were also a lot of H/G scenes but I'm trying to get the point across that he's over her. At least right now he is...
Another important note. I suck at doing Fleur's accent
I tried to do it but it came out a bit weird. Bare with me. I'm doing my best! And . . . I think that's it for now. Off to continue working on the next chapter.
Your support is appreciated!