A/N - thank you once again for the reviews - they are brilliant. Only four chapters left after this (I think) so we're nearing the end. Enjoy.
Chapter 9 - Surprises
I can't do this.
Harry stopped and jammed his hands further into his coat pockets in an attempt to get rid of the winter chill. Ginny, Ron and Luna were already at the Tonks' house, knocking on the door - but Harry didn't want to go any further.
Hermione, who was a few steps ahead of him, also stopped, sadly staring at a spot in the snow just in front of her.
"This is going to be difficult," she stated with a sigh, her breaths coming out in puffy white clouds.
"Yeah," he answered briefly.
Hermione didn't say anything for a moment, which surprised Harry. He expected her to tell him that they had to visit, that it was for the best, that they hadn't seen Teddy since the funerals and it was now after Christmas. Instead, she chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully before looking back at him.
"Do you remember how happy Remus was when he told us Teddy was born?" she asked with a sad smile. Harry sighed - he did remember. At a time where there had been so much darkness, the birth of baby Ted had been a beacon of light. That disappeared with the death of his parents.
"They made their choice, Harry," Hermione continued, seemingly knowing what he was thinking as she took his hands out of his pockets and held them in her gloved ones, making him look at her, "they had as much to fight for as everyone else. Actually, they had more…"
"They should've stayed with their son," he growled.
"Perhaps," she reasoned, "but Tonks had just lost her dad, had lost her cousin and her aunt was fighting against us. Remus? Well, Remus had lost his friends who were like a family to him. They both wanted to fight for those who had fallen for them so that Teddy could live in peace…"
"Instead Teddy has no-one!"
"That isn't true," she told him gently, "he has his grandmother, aunts and uncles. And he has you, Harry. He isn't going to be treated like you were."
"He doesn't have me," he sighed again, his anger ebbing away, "I can't even look at him without thinking of Remus and Tonks."
"I know what you mean," she agreed, sighing herself, "which makes this really difficult. But I keep thinking about how happy Remus was that he had a son, and now that son is being raised and loved by his grandmother. He still has a family that loves him and I want to be part of that. For Remus and Tonks."
"I'm his godfather and I can't even look at him," he said quietly, "it's my fault…"
"No, Harry - it isn't your fault!" she shot back, gripping his hands tightly, "it's Voldemort's fault! Stop blaming yourself for every death that happened!"
They stared at each other, Harry seeing a fire in Hermione's eyes that had been missing for so long. He gave her a lopsided smile as he squeezed her hands.
"Thanks," he murmured.
"What for?"
"For understanding."
She just nodded and gave him a small smile, the light once more leaving her eyes. She released one of his hands, but held onto the other as she began walking to the house, the others gone inside. After a moment, where all he could hear was their feet crunching on the snow, she spoke.
"I'm really nervous."
"Why?"
"Because I'm not very good with babies," she explained, "and because I'm a girl, everyone just naturally expects me to be a maternal…girl. What if I have to hold him? What if I drop him?"
"You'll be fine," he tried to reassure, smiling to himself but then frowning - he was thinking exactly the same thing, "actually, I'm not very good with babies either…"
Just then, the front door of the Tonks' home opened and Ron stuck his head out, startling both Harry and Hermione. Hermione released his hand immediately and Harry frowned.
She had stopped hugging him pretty much after The Confession. He didn't realise how much he took her touches for granted, and how much he enjoyed them, until they had gone. Besides the fact her hand was keeping his warm, he realised that it felt right just holding it and he missed her touch when it disappeared.
"Are you two joining us, or what?" Ron asked them loudly, "there's presents to open! Mrs Tonks won't let us eat until we've opened the presents!"
Harry couldn't help but chuckle - trust Ron to be thinking with his stomach! They quickly followed Ron into the house, removing boots, coats and gloves as they did so. The house was cosy and warm, Christmas decorations still displayed (although Christmas had come and gone two weeks ago) and the smell of food wafting through made Harry's mouth water.
When he got to the living room, it was cramped full of people - baby Teddy sitting on the knee of a glowing Ginny.
"There you are!" Mrs Tonks welcomed as she stood and gave Harry a hug, "we were wondering where you two had got to! Oh, it's been such a long time!"
"Um, yeah," Harry started uncomfortably as Mrs Tonks hugged Hermione, "sorry about that. It's just that…"
"Oh, no need to explain," Mrs Tonks interrupted with a smile, "I realise how hard this must be for you. Besides, you're a busy young man! It's just so nice to see you now! Come on in and sit down."
He looked around and saw that there was only one available seat next to Ginny. He indicated to Hermione that she should sit there, Hermione looking back at him in horror. Both Ginny and Luna were cooing over the baby, who was enjoying the attention, while Ron was eagerly getting out the presents he had been carrying in his backpack. Hermione's hesitation ended when Mrs Tonks' took Hermione's arm and guided her to the free space.
"Here you go, Hermione," the older woman beamed, "you sit here and I'll get another chair for Harry. It's not often we have so many guests!"
Harry watched as Hermione sat down, trying hard not to look uncomfortable. She glanced at Teddy, who reached out to her with a chubby hand, giggling, and a look of softness crossed her face like Harry had never seen before.
He was ushered into his own chair with Mrs Tonks sitting in another she had 'drawn' up while Ron sat amongst the small pile of presents on the floor.
"Did you have a good Christmas?" Harry asked their host politely.
"Yes, thank you Harry," she replied with a smile, "Betty, Ted's sister, has grandchildren of her own so it was nice to spend time with family. It's always worse in the holidays…"
The room went quiet for a moment as they all thought of those who hadn't been around to share Christmas with them this time, the only sound being the giggling of Teddy.
Ron, Hermione and Harry had all gone to The Burrow for Christmas where everyone was trying to compensate for the loss of Fred - especially around Mrs Weasley or George. And it worked.
Adding Luna and her father to the mix saw the festivities go to great heights and the memories of those who they had lost were celebrated with a mixture of laughter and tears.
Strangely, it was George who seemed to enjoy Christmas the most. He had been working hard in the shop (with sales going through the roof) plus he had started to date Angelina and if anything, seemed alright with the world. George was determined to make sure everyone had fun, always being in the middle of whatever activity that was going on.
Harry hadn't been sure if it was an act or if George was really as happy as he seemed. On New Year's Eve, he got the chance to ask and was told that it was how Fred would've wanted it - the other to go on, enjoying life as much as they could. They had discussed the chances of one of them dying during the war, both vowing to carry on no matter what happened. George was keeping his vow to his brother.
Things between Harry and Ginny coped with the festivities, Ginny being a bit quiet around him at times but she seemed to enjoy herself. Mrs Weasley, on the other hand, was initially very disappointed until she was told by pretty much everyone that it was for the best and she needed to accept it.
Which Ron had done with little fanfare. The fact he was spending as much of the holidays that he could with Luna had something to do with it plus Harry got the impression that Ron felt it was only a matter of time before Harry would start dating Hermione.
Harry wasn't so sure.
His relationship with Hermione was nearly back to normal. They talked and laughed together, now able to be in the same room without feeling awkward. But it wasn't like it was before the war, Harry knew that. She didn't hug him, or touch him and when she laughed or smiled, it never reached her eyes.
But she was trying.
And Christmas had been difficult for her. Her parents had sent her a Christmas card as the Wilkins' but it hadn't been the same. She had spent the whole day in her room after the card had arrived.
Harry glanced at her now and smiled as Teddy was reaching out to her, his tiny hand tangled in her hair.
"I think you have an admirer," he joked, making her blush.
"He just likes my hair," she replied, giving the small boy a smile and a funny face, which he giggled at with joy.
"Here you go, Hermione," Ginny smiled, "you hold him."
"Oh, no," Hermione protested, trying to inch away but finding she couldn't move on the cramped couch, "no, that's alright. I'm sure Teddy doesn't want to be handed around like a parcel…"
"He loves it," Mrs Tonks countered kindly, "and I do think he has taken a shine to you."
Everyone watched as Ginny handed the toddler over to Hermione, who took Teddy gingerly as he found a secure place on her lap. Teddy seemed to think it great fun and kept looking up at her with his big, blue eyes, laughing every time Hermione smiled or pulled a funny face.
"Right, well, I think Teddy should open his presents," Ron suggested from his place on the floor, "how'd you want to do this, Mrs Tonks?"
"Since you seem so keen on the presents, Ron," Mrs Tonks laughed, "why don't you open them on Teddy's behalf?"
Ron liked this idea and immediately set to his task. Hermione turned Teddy around so he could watch, but after the first present was unwrapped to show a multi-coloured, bouncy ball, she slid down from the couch and sat on the floor so Teddy could play with his new toy.
Harry watched with a smile on his face. For the first time since she had come back, she was relaxed, even happy, playing with a baby that she had been scared of dropping. Everyone was laughing at the child's antics when something strange happened.
Teddy suddenly wasn't Teddy any more. He had black, curly hair - the perfect mixture of Harry's colour and the ringlet's of Hermione - and Harry felt like he was watching her play with their child. It lasted barely a second, the feeling coming and going in the blink of an eye, but it stunned Harry beyond belief.
He wanted a future with Hermione. He wanted a family with her. He wanted her to play with their children.
He wanted to be more than a brother to her.
He wanted her.
It was like he had woken up from a deep sleep, images flashing through in his brain in quick succession. Hermione staying by his side during the Triwizard Tournament when no-one else did. Hermione fighting along side him at the Department of Mysteries. Hermione nearly dying and the panic he felt. Hermione kissing him on the cheek at the end of their fourth year. Hermione hugging him time and time again. Hermione always being there. Hermione always putting him first. Hermione looking beautiful at the Yule Ball. Hermione telling him that she loved him.
He shook his head in confusion - what does this mean? Does it mean he loves her?
"Right, let's have some dinner, shall we?"
Mrs Tonks' voice cut through his thoughts as he watched everyone stand to make their way into the dinning room. Hermione was still holding Teddy and was oblivious to his turmoil, as was Ron and Luna. But Ginny was watching him with a curious look on her face. Blushing, he stood and followed the others.
Lunch happened with Harry remaining quiet, aware of the conversations taking place around him but his mind stuck on the knowledge that there was a possibility he was in love with Hermione. He had no idea what to do next, whether he should confess to her as she did to him all those months ago.
The concept was so scary to him, he shelved it at once. He needed to be sure within himself before telling anyone let alone Hermione.
He listened to Mrs Tonks talk about her Christmas and what she had been up to since they saw her last. He heard Ron talk about life as an Auror and Ginny, with input from Luna, described what had taken place at Hogwarts.
Harry listened and ate and thought.
Before he knew it, the meal was over and Ginny was volunteering him to help her with the dishes. Mrs Tonks protested but Ginny was adamant, explaining she wanted to have a quiet word with Harry so with puzzled looks from everyone (including himself) he found himself alone with his ex-girlfriend in the kitchen of Ted and Andromeda Tonks.
"Are you alright, Harry?" she asked, as soon as they were alone.
"Er, yes, fine," he replied automatically, heading for the sink.
"Really?" she quirked an eyebrow, "because you don't look fine. In fact, you look like you've been struck by a bludger," she paused and Harry busied himself with the dishes, not saying anything. After a moment, she continued, "how's things going with Hermione?"
"What'd you mean?"
"I mean, is there something going on with you and Hermione?"
"No!"
"Well, there should be," she stated matter-of-factly, and with a flick of her wand, the dishes began to clean themselves.
"Is that all you wanted to talk to me about?" he sighed, running a weary hand through his hair, ignoring her comment.
"Actually, no," she told him, suddenly sounding nervous, "I…I need your help about something?"
"What is it?" he asked, curious and concerned at the same time.
"Um, this is really awkward," she began, turning to him, "but, you see, there's this boy that I want to go out with…"
"You don't need my permission to date, Ginny."
"I wasn't asking for your permission, Harry," she spat back, folding her arms crossly, "I was asking for your help!"
"How can I help you?" he frowned, used to her little anger bursts enough to ignore it, "I'm probably not the best person to ask about boy trouble."
"It's not boy trouble, as such," she told him, "it's more…I don't know how…I'm not too sure…" she paused and Harry's frown deepened - it's not like her to be so tongue-tied.
"What's going on, Ginny?" he prompted when the pause continued. She didn't say anything for a moment more but then took a deep breath, looked him directly in the eye, cast a silencing charm on the room, then spoke.
"I want to go out with Draco Malfoy," she blurted, "but I won't until I tell you and Ron."
"Malfoy!" Harry shouted, "you want to date Malfoy?"
"Yes…"
"How could you want to…the slimy git…he tried to kill Dumbledore!"
"But he didn't!" she shouted back, "look, I know you and him have had differences…"
"Differences?" he yelled, fist clenching, "he's tormented me from day one! He's abused Hermione and the Malfoy's have looked down on the Weasley's for generations!"
"I know, I know," she admitted, trying to placate him, "but he's changed, Harry! The whole thing with Voldemort…we've talked a lot and he's a really…"
"Don't say 'sweet guy', Ginny, because that's just a load of shit," he growled, "he stood there and watched Hermione get tortured. He let Death Eaters into Hogwarts which nearly got Bill killed! Because of that, Dumbledore was killed! Malfoy is many things and 'sweet' isn't one of them!"
"I wasn't going to say he's sweet!" she growled back at him, "and he doesn't deny any of those things, he doesn't deny that he was a prat! But he is a product of his family - just like you…"
"You're saying Malfoy is just like me?" Harry sneered.
"In a way, yes!" she replied, a note of pleading in her voice, "he was brought up thinking that Dark Magic was the answer, that You-Know-Who was the ultimate leader! Seeing Hermione tortured…he couldn't do anything!"
"He could've tried to stop…"
"How?" she fired at him, "he told me he tried to pretend he didn't recognise you and if…if he had tried to stop them, they would've killed him! He had already been crucioed before, even his mum had…"
"That doesn't make it right…"
"Seeing Hermione hurt like that, Draco knew then he didn't want to be part of it anymore…"
"He was still fighting against us at Hogwarts! When Crabbe got killed!"
"And you saved his life," Ginny continued, more quietly now, "after everything he put you through, you still saved his life. It made him a better person, Harry."
Harry continued to glare at her, trying to reconcile what she was telling him with the Malfoy he knew. Could he really have changed that much that Ginny wanted to be with him? And hadn't she told him when they broke up that she wanted someone who could laugh? Malfoy didn't laugh.
But then he remembered seeing them outside Hagrid's hut, how Malfoy had whispered something to her and she had giggled.
"Have you and him been seeing each other, then," he asked gruffly.
"We're in the same classes at school," she explained, "and we started talking, well arguing at first. But after one shouting match, he kinda let something slip that I think he never meant to tell anyone and we started to talk about things. The more we talked, the more I liked him and things, well, progressed.
"But I told him that nothing could happen between us before I talked it over with you and Ron. I'm not asking for your permission, Harry, or for you to even like him. But I am asking for you to give him a chance. And for you to help me tell Ron."
"This isn't just some sick way of getting back at me, is it?" he spat.
"Not everything is about you, Harry," she snapped - he just glared at her. She sighed heavily and carried on, "I asked him that, early on, and he swore that that wasn't the case…"
"He's lied before…"
"Not this time," she stated firmly, "he knows I won't take his usual rubbish and that if he lies to me, it's over."
"Are you sure you know what you're doing, Gin?" Harry carried on, watching her carefully.
"Yeah, I do," she answered confidently, "we're suited, Harry. Both proud, stubborn and spoiled," she chuckled, "but we can handle that. I really think this can work."
Harry nodded as he thought about everything she had said, debating whether he could actually give Draco Malfoy a chance. Sighing, he finally came to a conclusion.
"Does Luna know?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Good, because if anyone can keep Ron calm, it's her," Harry instructed as the dishes started to put themselves away, "it'll be better if you tell him when we leave here, get it out of the way. He's not going to be happy, Ginny."
"I know," she agreed, "does that mean you're okay with this?"
"I'll give Malfoy a chance," Harry told her, "on one condition."
"What's that?"
"That if he hits you, or uses dark magic or shows any indication that he's returning to the Death Eater fold," he said sternly, "that you get out of there without looking back…"
"He won't!"
"Promise me Ginny," he continued sternly, "because even though you see something in him that you like, I still don't trust him and it will take a lot for that to happen."
"I can look after myself…"
"Of that, I have no doubt. Promise me, no matter how deep into the relationship you are, at the first sign of trouble, you leave."
They stared at each other as Ginny debated with herself. Harry just waited - he wouldn't back down unless he got that promise. He wasn't quite sure what he'd do if she refused, but he didn't think it would come to that. After a while, she nodded.
"I promise," she sighed, "but he won't."
"Then there won't be a problem," Harry smiled, "come on, let's get back to the others."
They made their way to the door, the dishes done and put away.
"So, are you going to ask Hermione out?" Ginny asked casually, just before opening the door, stopping Harry in his tracks.
"What?" he stammered, "why?"
"Because you should," she grinned then left him standing there.
He had forgotten about Hermione and his newly discovered feelings for her during the whole 'Ginny wants to date Malfoy' news but now Ginny's words brought it all back to him. What was he going to do?
Think about it, he told himself as he made his way back into the living room, make sure what I'm feeling is real before talking to Hermione. I don't want to hurt her again.
But as he watched her play with Teddy, then go with Mrs Tonks to put the baby to bed the unmistakeable desire for that to be his child and his family was nearly over-powering. The group of friends left about an hour later after talk about the rebuilding of the Ministry and promises of more regular visits (which Harry vowed to keep if only to see Hermione so happy again).
They had walked for a little bit when he remembered about Ginny and Malfoy and that it was a better time than any to break the news to Ron.
"So Ginny," he started, "I think it's time for you to share what you told me after lunch, don't you?"
She gave him a slightly panicked look before taking a deep breath and nodding. Harry manoeuvred himself next to Ron, separating his friend from Ginny while Luna, knowing what was going on, held on tightly to Ron's arm on his other side. Hermione was following curiously.
"I like Draco Malfoy and want to date him," Ginny said in a frantic rush, as if she wanted to get it out of the way as painlessly as possible.
"What?" Hermione gasped, stopping.
"Bloody ferret," Ron grumbled, still walking much to the surprise of everyone, "still can't believe we saved his sorry arse."
"Er, Ron," Harry ventured after sharing a confused look with Ginny, "did you here what Ginny just said?"
"Yeah," Ron shrugged, "she mentioned the ferret. That she liked him…" Harry could see the penny drop by the amount of redness that swamped his friends face. He stopped and slowly turned towards Ginny, who was now being shielded by Harry and Hermione. Luna stayed attached to his arm.
"You want to date Malfoy?" he bellowed, trying to get past Harry and Hermione, who stood their ground, "you want to date Malfoy? Draco Malfoy? The slimy git who nearly got us all killed? What the bloody hell are you thinking?"
"He's changed…" Ginny tried to explain.
"Changed?" Ron repeated loudly, "changed! Prats like Malfoy can't change! How can you want to date Malfoy? You've just broken up with Harry!"
"That was over two months ago…"
"How can you go from Harry to Malfoy?" Ron continued to yell, "Malfoy was fighting against us, for Merlin sake!"
"Ron, calm down," Hermione tried to placate, but he was beyond listening.
"HIS FATHER TRIED TO KILL US! KILL YOU! HE IS SCUM! I ABSOLUTELY FORBID YOU TO DATE HIM!"
Harry cringed, knowing that was probably the worse thing to say. He was right as Ginny pushed her way through and stood defiantly in front of her brother.
"You forbid me?" she hissed dangerously, "you actually forbid me? Even Harry didn't 'forbid me'!"
Now Harry winced as Ron turned onto him.
"You approve of this?"
"I hate Malfoy as much as you do," Harry told him, trying to stay calm, "but Ginny's a big girl and she said she knew what she was doing…"
"SHE'S MY LITTLE SISTER!" Ron yelled, "SHE DESERVES BETTER THAN DRACO BLOODY MALFOY!"
"That isn't your decision to make, Ronald," Luna piped up in her own wistful way, grabbing Ron's attention, "Draco cares for Ginny…"
"You knew?"
"Why, yes," Luna continued with a smile, "we're in the same classes after all. I must admit, Draco can be horrid at times - but so can you and you are the sweetest boy I know! He's trying…"
"I don't care," Ron growled, no longer shouting at least, "he's a prat and will always be a prat…"
"Ginny's asking us to give him a chance, Ron," Hermione put in gently, "we should at least…"
"I don't have to do anything," Ron interrupted, returning his glare to his sister, who glared right back, "I will not allow you to date Draco Malfoy."
"I'm going to date him anyway, Ron," Ginny told him haughtily, "I just wanted you to know because I didn't want to hide the relationship. I understand why you hate him and I'm not asking you to like him. But he will be a part of my life, whether you approve or not."
Ron glared at all of them one by one, his eyes finally resting on Harry. Harry could guess what was going through his friend's mind and understood fully why he was so upset. But he also knew that really, they had no choice. If he knew one thing about Ginny Weasley it was she was an extremely determined young lady.
"We need to give her our support, Ron," he said and Ron nodded.
"Alright," he mumbled, "but don't expect me to like him. And if you kiss him in front of me, I swear I'll throttle the git."
Harry smiled as Ron stormed off, Luna in tow.
"Thanks Harry," Ginny grinned as she gave him a hug before following her brother.
"Well, that's a turn up for the books," Hermione ventured, starting to walk once more.
"I know," Harry replied, falling in step with her, "who would've thought."
"You did good, Harry," Hermione continued, glancing at him, "what with your past with Malfoy."
"Yeah, well, Ginny would go out with the ferret whether I wanted her to or not," Harry shrugged, then returned her glance, "what do you think about it all?"
"I just hope Ginny know what she's doing," Hermione answered softly, "see you at home."
And with a pop, she was gone. Harry stood staring at the spot where she was and sighed. A new year and a whole new set of problems, which of course added to the ones he still had. But he'll keep these to himself, as he always did, until he knows for sure what the hell he was thinking.
In the meantime, life will continue as normal. Hermione is just his friend. Ginny is dating a bloke not Draco Malfoy. And Ron is just growing up. Yep, life will continue just as normal.