Visitor from the Future

Chapter 9: Taking a Chance on Love

The next morning, Harry woke up refreshed and rested for the first time in quite a while. Harry lay in bed for a moment, remembering the events of yesterday, and he smiled when he remembered who his guardian was now.

Getting up, Harry grabbed his clothes and took a quick shower and got ready. Exiting his bedroom with yet another book that he planned to read, Harry saw that Remus was just leaving his room as well. "Morning, Moony."

Remus smiled at Harry. "Morning to you, too, Pronglet."

The two of them walked out of their suite of rooms together in companionable silence for a bit before Remus spoke. "What are you going to do today?"

"Probably go hangout with my friends. You know, play Quidditch, sit around and be lazy teenagers on summer vacation." Harry said with a cheeky grin.

Remus smiled as well, and rolled his eyes. "Well, I did ask."

The two of them walked into the Great Hall and split up. Remus went up to the High Table to eat while Harry made a beeline for the Gryffindor table, where Fred and George Weasley were currently eating.

"Hey Fred, George."

"Ah, look Gred!"

"Yes, Forge look!"

"It's ickle Harrikins."

"Why, how spiffing to run into you here, old friend."

"Yes, it has really been far too long."

"Why, Forge, what is that in Harrikin's hand?"

"Why, dear brother, I do believe that it's a book."

"What? Little Harry reading a book at the breakfast table? Oh, the tragedy!"

"Oh, the horror! He has turned into a Hermione!" At this, both began to "cry" and "lament" rather loudly over the "corruption" of Harry.

Harry rolled his eyes, and sat down across from them. "Do you two know why I'm carrying this book around?"

"No, dear sir..."

"Do tell, old chap!"

Harry pretended to look around furtively then leaned forward and motioned to the twins. They both leaned in.

"So I can do this to you two." With that, Harry lightly smacked each of them upside the head with the tome, and then set the book down and began serving himself breakfast.

"Forge?"

"Yes, Gred?"

"I do believe that we have been had by ickle Harrikins."

"I agree, Gred. We have been indubitably duped by the indubitable-"

"Alright, you want me to hit you two again?" Harry looked up at them, trying to look menacing, and picked up the book and waved it in front of them threateningly. At least it would have been threatening if he hadn't been grinning mischievously at the two pranksters.

"Harrikins has spoken Gred."

"Yes he has, Forge. I do think we should shut up."

"Brilliant idea, brother dearest."

They both looked at Harry, flashed him innocent smiles (which looked completely fake on their faces) and went back to eating, only they did it while acting incredibly proper and stuck up.

Harry just rolled his eyes and went back to eating his breakfast.

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After breakfast, Harry went up to the library to go read for a while since it would probably be a bit until his friends got up (Ron always said that summer break was for sleeping in, a fact that Hermione completely disagreed with, which would always lead to another one of their famous rows.)

Entering the library, Harry went to a well-lit table near the front and settled down to read. The book was actually rather interesting, as it described many famous witches and wizards who had been able to do extraordinary things with their "ancient" powers (elementals, wandless mages, and so on and so forth.). He actually got so engrossed that he completely lost track of time, and it was only when he felt a tap on his shoulder that he came back to the present.

Looking up, he saw Ginny standing there with a small smile on her face. The petite redhead shook her head at Harry and sat down next to him.

"You're not turning into another Hermione are you? Cause, she's my best friend and everything, but I couldn't put up with two of her."

"I don't think Ron could either." Both laughed at that. Ron's procrastination in studying was well-known for driving the bushy-haired bookworm up the wall.

"So, any particular reason why you're emulating Hermione this summer?" Ginny's tone was casual and light, but there was concern etched deep in her chocolate brown eyes.

I could get lost in those eyes. Wait. Did I just think that 'I could get lost in those eyes?' Where did that come from? Harry shook his head slightly and looked down at the book on the table, hoping he wasn't blushing. "It's just that, I guess I'm looking for answers for some questions that I have. Don't worry, Ginny," Harry looked up at her and grinned slightly, "Masters Gred and Forge also voiced their concerns that I had been 'corrupted' by Hermione."

Ginny laughed softly. "That sounds like those two, alright. Hey, um... I got your letter. I'm glad you liked your gift." She ducked her head, but not before Harry saw the blush spreading over her cheeks.

She looks so cute when she blushes. WHAT? Okay, Potter, get your head back on track. Wondering what was going on with his thoughts today, Harry answered Ginny, "Yeah, it's really nice. Where did you get it? It looks really rare."

"Oh, I just... I found it when I was out with Dad. You know, at this Muggle antique store. I saw it and I thought, 'Hey, that would be perfect for Harry.' So, I bought it and sent it to you. Didn't even really think about it until after I had sent it. It was just kind of automatic, you know."

"Well, thanks. For that and for the letter. You... you were right. About everything. I've been kind of pushing everyone away, haven't I?"

"Well... yeah, you have. But it's not your fault." Ginny held her hand up to Harry's mouth when he opened it to disagree. "I understand why you did it. I did it myself... after the Chamber. I didn't want to be around anyone, thought they wouldn't want me around anymore, cause I was tainted. It took a long time to get through that stage. I think what helped was going to Egypt to visit Bill. A change of scenery, you know. To clear your head, step back and look at it 'objectively,' as they say." Her voice was soft, and she looked down at her clasped hands, which were resting on the tabletop, the entire time.

"I think that would be nice if I could do that. You know, go on vacation somewhere, where I could forget about everything. Forget all the shit that's happened. Just be 'Harry,' not The-Boy-Who-Lived or The-Chosen-One, just... just me."

"I don't think of you as The-Boy-Who-Lived. Well, not anymore, at least." Ginny looked up and into his eyes, smiling slightly and blushing at her mention of her "crush" on The-Boy-Who-Lived that she had had when she had first met him.

"Yeah, thanks for that. I kind of need that sometimes. You know, people who aren't going to spill my story to The Daily Prophet or," Harry shuddered dramatically, "Witch Weekly." Ginny giggled at the mention of magazine that was very popular with the witches in Britain, then laughed outright at the look on Harry's face as he said it. After a moment, Harry joined in with her, and by the time they stopped, they were somewhat breathless.

"So, um... can I ask... what happened? I mean, why did you have to come here so early? Why were Mum and Dad so scared? I mean, if... if you don't want to, you don't have to answer, but I just thought that... if you wanted to have someone to talk to..." Ginny trailed off and looked away, embarrassed that she had asked him about that so bluntly. For a moment, Harry was silent, and Ginny feared that she had upset him. Just as she opened her mouth to apologize, Harry spoke.

"Um... my uncle... kind of got... mad at me, and he..." Harry had turned towards his book again, and was looking determinedly anywhere but at Ginny.

Ginny placed her hand over his, "Did... did he... hit you?" Harry nodded. For a moment, she didn't say anything, but then she looked, really looked, at Harry.

He was hunched over slightly, and she could see by the set of his shoulders that he was afraid she would think less of him for his confession. She saw the unshed tears in his eyes, staring ahead, not really seeing anything. Her heart broke seeing her friend hurting so much, and she thought furiously for some way to show him that she didn't think he was weak or anything like that.

She reached up and gently placed her fingers under his chin, slowly turning his head to see her. She smiled softly at him, all too aware that she had tears in her eyes as well, and that they would most likely spill over very soon. She shook her head slightly, and whispered, "It's not your fault. You didn't do anything to deserve that. You were trapped, and everyone else failed you, Harry. You didn't fail anyone." The tears were slowly trickling down her cheeks, but she paid them no heed. She didn't care if she was crying; she wanted Harry to know that she cared for him- more than he would probably ever know.

Harry just stared at her, tears stubbornly not falling down his cheeks, but filling his vibrant green eyes that were filled with so much pain and anguish. He slowly reached his hand up and wiped away her tears, causing her to gasp slightly at the sudden touch.

At the touch, both of the teens felt more complete than they had ever before. They no longer felt alone, but safe with each other. Though they didn't know it, the same thoughts were running through both their heads: How could I have been so blind? Everything I ever needed has been right in front of me, for all this time.

Slowly, both leaned towards each other, and their lips met. It was a soft kiss, tentative and sweet, but it added to that feeling of completeness and safety they felt around each other. Ginny's hand moved up to the nape of Harry's neck, and the kiss slowly deepened. It would have probably gotten even deeper if they hadn't been rather rudely interrupted.

"Hey, Harry, mate have you seen Ginny anywhere-" Ron froze in the doorway when he caught sight of his best friend and his little sister kissing in the library.

They both broke apart at turned and just stared at Ron, who was staring with his mouth open in shock at the two.