Another Delusional Love Story by Hermione J. Potter Rating: PG Genres: Romance, Action & Adventure Relationships: Harry & Hermione Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 6 Published: 16/08/2005 Last Updated: 23/08/2005 Status: In Progress A fic written solely to help me get through the whole HBP fiasco. Harry's 6th year comes with...a few surprises. Might include Super!Harry later on. Ron/Luna and might be some Ginny bashing... 1. You're Invited to... ----------------------- Title: Another Delusional Love Story Rating: PG Genre: Romance/Action/Adventure Other Ships: Ron/Luna Maybe minor Ginny/Neville Based upon book/s: Book 1-6 HBP SPOILERS!!! Summary:Harry’s 7th Year . . . with a few surprises. Love Potion theory will be used because come on face it Harry couldn’t have fallen for Ginny without it!!! Disclaimer: I don’t own Harry Potter or anything in Harry Potter. I’m not making any profit of this at all, and if I did own Harry Potter and I was J.K Rowling then you can be assured that in the 6th book, Harry and Hermione would have ended up together but hey, that’s what fan-fiction is for right? Ok then, enough rambling, and to sum things all up . . . I don’t own Harry Potter. Got it? Good. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- Chapter 1 1. You’re invited . . . “Bye Harry. I’ll write to you every day, okay? Just send a note with Hedwig when you’re ready to leave your aunt and uncle’s.” Those had been Hermione’s last words to him as the trio (Himself, Ron, and Hermione) stood on the platform ready to go to the other side. To the muggle-side, where they would be separated for the first time in a whole school year. She had then watched closely as Ron and Harry had exchanged a quick goodbye, with her bottom lip trembling slightly. Harry noticing this, quickly said, afraid she would start to cry something he definitely couldn’t handle right then, “Hermione, don’t be worried. I’m not going to do anything rash during my stay with the Dursleys. I’ll be a good boy.” He joked, trying to lighten the mood a bit. When Hermione didn’t seem reassured Harry continued, “Look, I’m only going to stay there for about a week. You know, even though Privet Drive was pretty much the worst place for a 10-year-old to spend his life in. I suppose it still holds . . . *some* happy memories. Besides Dum- . . . Dumbledore wanted me to go back. Even if I don’t stay long, at least, I’ll be safe for that week. It’s what Dumbledore would have wanted . . . ” He trailed off suddenly, as Hermione threw her arms around him, and burst into tears for the second time in a day. Instead of breaking of the hug, he returned it. Finally realizing that it was something he had desperately needed. As she started sobbing harder than before, Harry gave her a pat on the back and bent down a little so he could whisper in her ear a few words of condolence. Hermione then gratefully kissed him on the cheek. Ron cleared his throat as soon as he saw this, not giving the other two any chance to react, and said, “Hermione, Harry needs to go. The muggles will soon be throwing a fit. You’ll see him soon. Right?” Ron asked turning his attention to Harry. “Right.” Harry said, trying to make himself as believable as possible. The truth was he didn’t know if he would be returning to the Burrow after spending a week with the Dursleys . . . Ron seemed to believe him, and repeated to Hermione that Harry needed to go now, and that they were holding up the other students. Harry had the feeling that Ron was anxious to do something. But he shrugged the feeling off. Hermione let go of Harry regretfully. Once he was released, he grabbed all his possessions, and walked swiftly through the barrier leading him to the muggle part of King Cross Station. He felt as if he might start crying once again too, morning over Dumbledore’s death all over, if he just glanced at Hermione’s tear-stained face once more. He got through the barrier quickly and soon spotted Mr. And Mrs. Weasley. The Dursley’s stood a good 20 feet away, glaring at the red-headed couple fiercely. The Weasleys saw Harry and motioned for him to join them. Harry obeyed immediately, wanting to spend as much time at the train station as he could. The minute he got there however, he regretted his decision. Mrs. Weasley grabbed hold of him, and started giggling like a school girl, while Mr. Weasley just beamed at him. “Er . . . Hi Mrs. Weasley.” Harry said awkwardly. This he hadn’t expected at all. Shouldn’t Molly and Arthur be upset about Dumbledore? But instead here they were, the two of them grinning like lunatics. “Oh, Harry! We were just so pleased when we heard about it!” Mrs. Weasley squealed, letting Harry go when she realized she was pushing Hedwig’s cage into his torso. “Mind you, we only heard about it this morning.” Arthur added still grinning. Harry completely bewildered as to what they were talking about, just stared at them, all the while wondering. *‘**Where the hell were Ron and Hermione?’* “Er . . . Right?” He said trying to sound like he knew what they were talking about. But Mrs. Weasley knew that Harry didn’t have a clue. “Ginny and you!” Harry imediantly felt his heart drop to his toes. Mrs. Weasley didn’t seem to notice his expression, because she continued, “She warned us this morning as the post arrived. She didn’t want us to be shocked. I can’t believe it! Ginny has be- Oh! She’s so thrilled that you two are finally dating. We can’t believe how blind we were, when, just a few days ago, we saw you two together. So we thought, of course you were! You look just like Lily and James when they were younger!” Felling awkward suddenly at being compared to his dead parents along with Ginny he said, “Er . . . right, about that Mrs. Weasley . . .” But fortunately, he was saved from having to explain by his Uncle Vernon interrupting the conversation. “Boy! . . . Er . . . *Harry*, I mean. We are running late for an appointment so Mr. and Mrs. Weasel, was it? We have *got* to be going.” Vernon then pulled Harry away, with his porky little sausage like fingers. Happy to have an excuse he allowed Vernon to drag Harry out of the station and to the parked car. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- All that seemed like ages ago to Harry, when really only a week had passed. It was now about time for Harry to be going to the Burrow, to spend the rest of his summer with his Ron, Hermione and Ron’s entire family. But, Harry wasn’t even completely sure yet, that he should even be going to the Burrow. He knew that he would see Ron and Hermione again, and he really wanted to be there for Bill’s wedding, and the Weasley’s, all of the seven children (well, excluding Percy) had been like a family to him. No scratch that. They were family to him. On the other hand, if he went, he would then have to see Ginny again, something he was dreading. Not to mention, he would see the order and witness how they were all dealing with the loss of their leader. But, the one thing that really held him back was the fact that Ron and Hermione were intending to join Harry on his visit to Godric’s Hollow. Something that the more he thought about it did *not* want to happen. It would be too much of a risk for them there, and there would be no member of the order there to protect them. If something were to happen to either Ron or Hermione he would never forgive himself. He knew however, that if he were to go to the wedding, and leave right after that Hermione and Ron would insist on going. Well, Hermione would insist anyway. Knowing her, she would possibly threaten to curse him as a last resort, if he didn’t include them. But he couldn’t jeopardize their safety. Ron and Hermione were the most important people in his life, and he couldn’t bare to lose them like he had lost Sirius or Dumbledore. Harry’s thoughts were interrupted by a sudden soft tapping on the window. Not wanting to get up Harry reached for his wand, and with a simple flick the window flew open. Hedwig his snowy white owl, flew into the room with two letters attached to her leg. The first letter would of course be Hermione’s daily letter, but Harry had no idea who the second one could be from. He chose to open the mysterious letter first, which had ‘Harry’ printed elegantly on the front of the envelope. Ripping the letter open he realized it was a wedding invitation to Bill and Fleur’s wedding. It had a picture of the happy couple. The picture was of course a wizarding picture, and the miniature Bill and Fleur were currently in the middle of a snogging session. Seeing no writing on the paper anywhere, he prodded the couple in the picture. They both flinched and looked up at who had interrupted them. Seeing that it was Harry, they both smiled broadly, and Bill cleared his throat. “Mr. Arthur Weasley, Mrs. Molly Weasley, and Mr. Mason Delacour, and Charlene Delacour request you attendance at the wedding of the century . . . Bill Michael Weasley and Madame Fleur Celyn Faye Marie Delacour exchange wedding vows, and begin their new life together on Saturday, The Second of August, Nineteen-Ninety Seven at Two-thirty in the afternoon. The ceremony will take place at the Delacour’s home located on the outskirts of France, and the reception will be located in the Burrow, home of the Weasley’s.” As Fleur took over the explanation of where and when the wedding would be, Harry picked up his next letter, which was from Hermione. It was the shortest, she had sent him yet. He read it within a minute, and sighed. She was expecting him to send an answer straight away with Hedwig. By now Fleur had stopped talking, and now the invitation was playing a slow song Harry had never heard of before. He shut the card, but it continued to play. Frustrated, he got a stack of books, and placed them on top of the invitation hoping it would muffle the sound. When it didn’t however, Harry got ready to set the whole thing on fire when he heard a voice yelling. It was a tiny voice, and Harry couldn’t tell where it was coming from. He looked around wildly looking for the source of the voice, and when he couldn’t find it he looked down at the card. It was coming from in there. He opened it cautiously and got his wand ready and gripped in his hand, but was not met by anything dangerous. Ron Weasley was standing on the card, now completely flattened out by the weight of the books. “Ron?” Harry gasped, his voice raspy from lack of use. “Oy, Harry! What the bloody hell did you do that for?” The minute Ron asked angrily. “Sorry,” Harry muttered, still shocked to see his best friend. “Could you put an enlargement spell on me then?” Ron asked slightly annoyed. “Oh . . . Er . . . Right . . . Sorry.” Harry muttered the spell, and Ron grew to his normal size almost instantly. “Thanks. So are you ready?” Ron asked looking around Harry’s room expectantly. “Ready for what?” Harry asked bemused. “To go to my house. Hermione has been barmy all summer so far. Sending me tons of letters about how you weren’t returning her owls.” Harry felt a pang of guilt as Ron said this. “So I told her I would come to get you once your week at the Dursleys was up. What’s up mate? ” Ron asked when he saw the look on Harry’s face. Harry hadn’t expected this. He didn’t know how he could ever turn down going to Weasley’s now. “Look I know how you feel. Dumbledore was a great man. All of the Order misses him. The whole wizarding world is in morning-” Harry cut Ron off. “Yea, I know.” He opened his mouth to start to tell Ron about not going to the Weasley’s, but he couldn’t make the words come out. Hermione had popped into his head and he saw her driving herself mad with worry, over him not returning to the Burrow with Ron. “The whole house is expecting you, mate. So do you want me to help you pack? The muggles should be up soon, shouldn’t they? Do you want to say goodbye to them, then?” Ron asked anxiously. “Yea. You can help me pack.” Harry said making up his mind then and there. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- By the time Ron and Harry had finished packing, noises could be heard coming from downstairs. “They’re up. Are we going to use floo powder . . . or . . . ?” Harry trailed off as he gathered all of his things, including Hedwig’s cage. “No, you can’t apparate yet, and I’m no good at slide-along. But it’s not safe using the floo system anymore. So, mum and dad set up an official Portkey . . . ” Ron said looking at his watch. “Which will be leaving in ten minutes . . . ”He cursed at the time. “Why didn’t you just use the portkey instead of sending a letter with yourself in it?” Harry asked confused. Ron shrugged, “Another of Fred and George’s inventions. They asked me to try it out for them. Or rather, they tricked me into trying it out for them.” “What’s so great about sending yourself in a letter?” Harry asked opening the window to allow Hedwig to fly out. She would much rather prefer flying to being transported by portkey. Once again Ron shrugged, “Dunno. It’s kind of cramped in there. Also being stuck with a picture of Bill and Fluer who are only interested in snogging was a nightmare. Are you going to say goodbye to the muggles?” He asked again. “Might as well.” “Wingardium Leviosa.”Ron muttered, pointing it to Harry’s luggage. Harry got a sudden flash of his first year, and Ron casting it on the troll. He grinned and led the way downstairs. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- He entered the kitchen and found the family eating breakfast. “I’m leaving,” he announced. To his surprise, Petunia’s head shot up. “You’re leaving? For good?” She asked. For the first time in 16 years Harry saw compassion in those eyes. Her large and pale eyes, which had always lacked any warmth in them (at least when they were looking at Harry) were now filled with worry. Shocked, Harry turned his attention to his aunt. For the first time in 16 years, he could see the resemblance Petunia had to Harry’s mother, Lily. The two sister’s had, had many differences, but every difference was matched with a similarity. “Yes. I’ll be 17 soon, and in the wizarding world I’ll be considered an-” “DO NOT SAY THAT FILTH IN THE HOUSE!” Vernon Dursley had yelled, purple with rage. From behind him, Ron had started laughing under his breath while standing back. “SHUT UP VERNON!” The most unexcepted person had yelled. Petunia was standing at the table hand on her hips, with her lips as thinned out as they could go. “Hh-What did you say to me?”Vernon asked slightly aghast. “What are you now deaf? I said ‘Shut the bloody hell up Vernon!’ No one is listening. Just because . . . *Harry . . .* says ‘wizarding’ in this house does *not* mean that the neighbors will hear. They’re more likely to hear you bellowing than to hear him saying something.” She then turned her attention to Harry. “Where are you going?” She asked kindly, ignoring Vernon and Dudley who were sitting at the table mouths open. “To Ron’s.” Harry answered pointing to Ron. Ron who had been standing there, trying not to draw attention to himself waved awkwardly and said, “Hullo.” “And then I’ll be going to Godric’s Hollow. Where-” Harry continued talking a bit fast, but Petunia interrupted him. “Lily lived. Her and your father . . .” The five people stood in an awkward silence for a minute, Petunia in deep thought. Not wanting to interrupt her hopefully fond thought’s of his deceased mother, Harry said nothing, but instead watched her closely. “Well, you had better be going then.” She said suddenly snapping out of it. “I’ll get you some food. Do you need a snack? Of course you need a snack. Put some bacon, and eggs, and then you can be on your way.” Petunia muttered more to herself than to Harry. “Well, we’ve got to be going, quickly. Sorry I don’t have-” Harry started seeing Ron look pointedly at his watch. Petunia then, unexpectedly threw herself on him in a tight hug. “I always loved Lily you know. I just was so jealous of her for being the ‘perfect’ one. The ‘special’ one. I got carried away I suppose . . . Your father was also a great man, he loved Lily, so much, I was jealous of that also, I suppose. She had the life I had always dreamed of . . . and then it ended so abruptly. I blamed that wizarding world for her death. That’s why I worked so hard to squash it out of you. In a way, it was because I couldn’t bare to see what happened to them happen to you. I had to look out for you. You are my nephew after all . . . I’m sorry . . . for everything..” Petunia stopped suddenly, tears gathering in her large eyes “It’s fine,” Harry said automatically. “NO! No, it’s not. It will never be an excusable thing, what we did to you. But the least I can do is apologize.” Harry nodded and turned to go, but was stopped when Petunia started speaking again. “Buy some lilies and put them on her grave. It doesn’t matter what kind, though. She loved them all. They were her favorites. Not because of her name mind you, they were her favorites, because when we were little . . . Tuesday, Lily’s Australian Shepherd died. We buried her in a field of lilies. Every kind of lily imaginable was in that garden. It was our favorite place to go when we were little. . .” Harry stared at his aunt for a moment a lump in his throat had grown and he couldn’t speak. He heard Vernon shuffle uncomfortably in his seat, still annoyed that his wife had snapped at him. Dudley was sitting there quietly frightened shit-less of Ron and Harry, remembering the ton- tounge-toffees from a couple years ago.. “Go on then. You have to go. I wouldn’t want you to be late.” Petunia said as if embarrassed to have said anything. She led Harry and Ron to the door, and held it open. Ron walked past muttering a quick goodbye, but when it was Harry’s turn to go, he stopped. “There’s a war going on.” He started. “In the wizarding world. There already beginning to torture muggles- regular people. The bad side is, I mean. Just for fun. If anything strange starts happening, anything at all, or there are unexplained disappearances. Or what Dudley went through 2 years ago, with the dementors, and it starts happening here. Then pack up everything important, and go to Arabella Figg’s. She’ll help you. If she’s not here then leave. Get out of town. Got it?” Petunia nodded, gave Harry a quick hug once more, and shut the door. Harry stood there staring at the door of, Number Four Privet Drive for a few more seconds and then turned to leave with Ron. They had only walked a couple of yards when Ron led Harry down an alleyway. He then picked up the only object there, an old muggle newspaper and held it out for Harry to grab. “Five, four, three, two, one . . . ” Harry instantly felt a pull coming somewhere from behind his navel, and felt the sensation that came whenever one traveled by portkey. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- That was the first chapter. I don’t know if I’m going to finish this story but I more than likely will so don’t worry. I have this story posted on FFN as well. I realized about halfway through that Harry isn’t 17 yet so he can’t use magic but I just kept it in there anyway. Call it laziness if you want, but that’s just how it is. This story is taking place after HBP and if you must know there will be some Ron/Hermione stuff, but the story will of course end in H/Hr. The thing about Lily liking the lilies was from RFR (an awesome show!) And I just added it in there so don’t sue. And about the whole Redeemed!Petunia thing, I just always felt like she couldn’t be *all* bad. Lily was her sister. It won’t really matter much anyway because she won’t be returning in the story more than once . . . Hmmm is that a clue of what is to come?...So that’s about it and if you have any question’s or comments than please just leave a review and I’ll answer them for you. Flames are not appreciated, but I can’t exactly stop you can I? 2. The Absence of a Flowery Scent --------------------------------- Disclaimer: None of Harry Potter is mine. I own nothing and all of it belongs to J.K. Rowling. :-:-:-:-:-:-:--:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- 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 . . . ” :-:-:-:-:-:-:--:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- 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. :-:-:-:-:-:-:--:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- “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?” :-:-:-:-:-:-:--:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- 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. :-:-:-:-:-:-:--:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- 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. :-:-:-:-:-:-:--:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- 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. :-:-:-:-:-:-:--:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- 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!