Reign O'er Me

Chapter 3 - The Kids Are Alright

The next several moments were a flurry of confusion. Ginny struggled against Tonks, trying to slip free to reach Harry; the room was filled with loud pops as Albus Dumbledore, Nicholas Flamel, Minerva McGonagall, Bill and Molly Weasley all apparated into the room. At the same time, a flash of light sent Tonks sprawling across the room, and Ginny was at Harry's side. Both Dumbledore and Molly Weasley moved forward, reaching toward her, clearly intending to pull her away, but were stopped by Flamel grasping their arms, and crying, "Wait!"

Ginny knelt by Harry, and gently moved his hands from his face, taking one of his hands into her one of her own, and with her other hand, gently pushing his hair back from the scar that was still trickling blood, but clearly less than a few moments before. Harry's eyes fluttered; and they all heard him rasp, "Ginny?"

Flamel still restrained Molly Weasley and Dumbledore, but McGonagall had moved toward the teens, and said, gently but firmly, "Miss Weasley, now please, come away so we can...."

"No!" Flamel's voice rang. "Miss Weasley, please do not release Mr. Potter's hand under any circumstances." All of the other adults in the room looked at Flamel with puzzlement; Tonks, who had regained her feet, was trying to covertly reach her wand. Ginny appeared oblivious to anything going on in the room around her; Flamel released Molly and Dumbledore and approached Harry, kneeling on the other side. He reached out, taking the hand that had been tracing Harry's hairline. He spoke again, very gently, "Miss Weasley, please listen. Whatever you do, if you care for Mr. Potter, do not let go of his hand for any reason. Do you understand?"

Ginny nodded, not taking her eyes off Harry.

Flamel continued, "Very good. Now, listen. We must make Harry as comfortable as possible. I'm going to levitate him to that couch," he pointed, "and I want you to keep holding his hand. His very life may depend on it. Do you understand?"

Ginny again nodded, and Flamel muttered and made a motion with a wandless hand, and Harry slowly began floating up; Ginny stood, still gripping Harry's hand, and moved to the couch, settling on one end, and guided his body as it settled so that his head lay in her lap. She had glanced briefly at her mother as she settled on the couch, almost as if challenging her to say something; then, as Harry settled, all of her attention returned to him; one hand, knuckles white, grasping his, the other brushing back his hair.

Harry's eyes were open; he glanced from time to time at the others in the room, but most of his attention remained focused on Ginny. Flamel turned to the others, and said, "Do you not see it?"

Bill and Tonks looked bewildered; Molly's expression showed a number of conflicting emotions; Dumbledore and McGonagall, after a flick of their wants, both slowly nodded; McGonagall spoke first, haltingly. "They have become soul bonded. But Albus, how? That is magic well beyond their years, but only rarely accomplished even with the assistance of the most powerful among us. This is unheard of...."

Dumbledore replied, "Harry and Ginny have had an unusually close tie since his second year, when he slew a basilisk with Godric Gryffindor's sword and defeated an echo Tom Riddle left of himself as a 16 year old in a diary to save her. Molly has expressed concern previously that a connection may even pre-date that."

"Albus, what does all this mean?" Molly Weasley asked, her expression becoming increasingly worried.

Flamel answered, "Soul bonding is rarely attempted today. Centuries ago, it was more common; it was considered the ultimate expression of commitment between two who had chosen to spend their lives together. It goes beyond the commitment required for marriage, or even for love. It's a sharing, empathy, and a total giving of self between two people. It is most difficult to describe to someone who has not experienced it. It is rarely attempted other than by partners who have already been years together; it is also perhaps among the most difficult spells to cast; it almost always requires outside assistance." He looked at Harry and Ginny. "This bond is new; it has formed in the past hour or less." He paused, and then continued, "It is also among the most powerful I have seen."

Dumbledore flicked his wand, and a semi-circle of chairs arranged themselves facing the couch holding Harry and Ginny. Dumbledore motioned to the others, then sat in the chair nearest to where Ginny still cradled Harry's head in her lap. He spoke kindly, "Harry, how are you feeling?"

Harry's voice rasped, but became stronger as he spoke, "Better...." He looked at the circle of faces surrounding him, and seemed to fully realize the situation for the first time; lying on a couch, his head in Ginny Weasley's lap, surrounded by his headmaster, his head of house, another wizard that looked vaguely familiar that he couldn't place... and the mother of his girlfriend of less than hour who appeared to be trying to decide if she wanted to hug them both or hex them into next week, and the girl's older brother, who was alternating between amusement and concern. "Or at least I was until I realized somebody called a meeting."

All of the adults smiled at that; even McGonagall allowed the smile to reach beyond her eyes for a moment. Dumbledore spoke again, "Harry, Ms. Weasley, please understand; we don't mean to pry, but we must understand exactly what happened. Please, start from the beginning, and leave nothing out, no matter how insignificant it may seem."

Harry moved as if to sit up; but Flamel and Dumbledore both reached out to restrain him. Flamel said, "Mr. Potter, please listen carefully. Under no circumstances are you to release Ms. Weaselys' hand. Do you understand?"

Harry looked at this unknown wizard in shock; he muttered, "Please don't throw me in the briar patch," as Dumbledore and Flamel helped him set upright. Both Dumbledore and Flamel's eyes twinkled with that comment; this time, McGonagall could not prevent the smile this comment evoked, but turned quickly hoping at least that Harry would not see her reaction to his words. Molly and Bill, however, were puzzled by the remark; McGonagall whispered a quick explanation, "It's from a muggle story; he means please force me to do exactly what I most want to be doing." Bill covered his mouth to avoid laughing out loud, while Molly gave Harry a look that promised a detailed exploration of that particular muggle story later.

Harry looked at the unknown wizard, and asked, "Sir, have we met? You seem familiar, but I can't place you?"

"Yes, Mr. Potter, you do indeed know of me, though we've not met prior to tonight; I suspect you might even have a copy or two of my Chocolate Frog card. I am Nicholas Flamel."

"The maker of...."

"Exactly."

Harry turned to Dumbledore, and said, "But you said... in my first year... without the stone... he would die."

Flamel laughed deeply. "Mr. Potter, had you paid more attention in the History of Magic, you would be quite aware that rumors of my death have proved somewhat inaccurate before." Turning to Dumbledore, he continued, "You, of all people, should have known that."

Harry had never seen anyone even attempt to tease the greatest wizard of their time; he felt an instant liking for the legendary alchemist.

Dumbledore bowed his head to Flamel, and again turned to Harry. "Harry, please start with your arrival here today; please tell us everything that happened."

Harry started with the series of letters that had come that morning, then we went on to detail his meeting with Remus; the letter from Sirius evoked a number of questions from those assembled; finally, Harry pointed to the letter sitting nearby on a table; with a flick of his wand the letter flew into Dumbledore's hand, and he read thoughtfully for several moments. He then took his wand, and tapped the parchment, and spoke "I solemnly swear I am up to no good" and continued reading for several minutes. Finishing, he asked, "Harry, may I?" indicating that he wished to pass Flamel the letter.

Harry sighed, but nodded. Dumbledore spoke again, "Harry... I must tell you that letter was extraordinarily perceptive of Sirius. Not only did he say to you exactly what you needed to hear; perhaps he is the only person whom you would have listened to."

Dumbledore's eyes flicked to Ginny for a moment. "And while I might have wished the timing on one aspect had been, perhaps different; no; no, I cannot even wish that, dear boy. In just these few moments with you, it is clear that something has changed in you. You are not the same young wizard who stood in my office a few days ago, angry and wounded."

Harry described the meeting between the Weasleys, Mad Eye Moody, Lupin and the Dursleys; how knowing he wouldn't be stuck alone with people who hated his very existence made a difference; Molly appeared to almost be in tears as Harry made reference to past years. He then told the group about the conversation between he and Lupin following their reading of the letter, he avoiding looking at Molly Weasley as he described Remus teasing him about wanting company.

Harry described returning to the Dursley house and leaving a note, telling them he would be eating at Mrs. Figg's, then returning to her house and then re-reading the letter from Sirius until Ginny had arrived.

Ginny and Harry then begin alternating, describing their conversation and their meal; when Ginny mentioned her letter, Dumbledore again asked if he might read it. Ginny looked at Harry; he nodded, but asked, "Professor, I've not seen it. Would you mind horribly if I read it first?"

Dumbledore nodded, "That only seems fair, under the circumstances, Harry."

Conversation ceased briefly while Harry quickly read Ginny's letter. Tears appeared in his eyes, but he blinked them back, and turning to Ginny, whispered "Sirius wasn't taking any chances, was he?" He then handed the parchment to Dumbledore, who repeated the unlocking charm, and read.

Dumbledore finished reading the second letter, and after passing to Flamel, commented, "I would not have believed Sirius Black capable of such perceptiveness had I not read those letters written in his own hand and concealed with charms he and Harry's father devised. Not only did he say to Harry exactly what he needed at the time, he also seems to have set in motion the other events of today." He faced the two teens again. "Please, continue."

Harry and Ginny described the rest of their meal; both Dumbledore and Flamel asked questions concerning what was said between then about following and being at Harry's side. They then described cleaning up, and returning to the living room. As they described their conversation, both blushed occasionally but accurately described what had occurred. As Harry described the thoughts flowing through his mind as he worked up the nerve to make his feelings known to Ginny, Molly was unable to stop the tears from flowing; even McGonagall made a suspicious sniff or two. Then Ginny repeated, word for word how Harry had cursed Sirius, they had all laughed, McGonagall not even trying to keep a straight face. The laugher continued as Harry described Ginny's prediction of how each Weasley family member would react; but as he reached Molly, Ginny fixed him with a dark stare and interrupted, "One more word, Harry, and you'll be visiting Madam Pomfrey for the next week".

Bill spoke up, "Never mind, Harry, I can finish it for you. Ginny said that Mum would be planning your wedding, naming your children...." but decided to stop at that point seeing Ginny reaching for her wand.

Ginny and Harry locked eyes for a moment, and Harry decided that even if it meant the end of the Wizarding world, he would not describe the next part of their conversation to this group. Dumbledore and Flamel exchanged a glace, but said nothing. "And really, that's it. Ginny moved over next to me, and we kissed, and a few minutes later Tonks came through the fireplace, Ginny got the basket and was about to floo back to The Burrow; I was walking toward her," he blushed slightly, "to kiss her goodbye, and the next thing I know, Voldemort is raging inside my head angrier than I've ever felt him."

Ginny and Tonks took over, describing Harry falling, and Ginny rushing to his side. Harry joined in again, "It's strange, but I felt Ginny take my hand, and suddenly it stopped. I mean, I was drained and wiped out and everything, but as soon as she touched me, it was like Voldemort was just cut off."

Dumbledore exchanged glanced with several of those assembled. "This is indeed a surprising, and unexpected twist. We will need to discuss this further, I think." He nodded to the adults. "Perhaps we might let Harry rest if we moved to the kitchen...."

"NO!" Harry and Ginny both said, eyes blazing. Harry spoke first, "With all due respect, Professor, this involves us; Ginny and I have done everything you've asked, including walking three teachers, her mother and her brother through the most intimate and private moment of our lives. We held almost nothing back." Harry noticed Molly Weasley react to that, but continued on. "For years, you have planned out my life, given me part of the story, made decisions for me without any idea what it was like to live with those... those... People," Harry finally spat, nodding in the general direction of the Dursley house. "It ends here and now, for good. I will be," then looking at Ginny, corrected, "Ginny and I will be involved in and have input into any decision making that impacts us from this point forward if you ever want any cooperation from me ever again about anything."

Dumbledore looked mildly surprised; Flamel grinned broadly at both Harry and Ginny, and said, "Bravo, Harry!"; McGonagall and Molly looked as if they were shocked that Harry would address Dumbledore in such a fashion, while Bill Weasley nodded at Harry, offering silent support.

Dumbledore glanced at Flamel, and then nodded. "Harry, you're quite right. I apologize; old habits are sometimes hard to break, even when I've told myself that I must change them. Yes, you and Miss Weasley have every right to be involved in something that impacts you so greatly."

Flamel spoke to Harry, "Mr. Potter? May I be familiar and address you as Harry?" Harry nodded his assent, and Flamel continued, "Harry, you have taken an important step, my boy. You've not told us to bugger off, as would be your right, and leave your life to you; nor have you passively waited to be directed. You've demanded to have an ear and a say in all that's going on about you, and that is exactly as it should be. Brian," noting Harry's puzzled look, nodded at Dumbledore and continued, "your headmaster, was quite a bit older than you when he made such a demand of me."

"I don't understand, sir," Harry replied.

"Harry, your headmaster is a Guardian of the Order, as am I. I am to Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore as he is to you. The Guardian of the Order is a line that goes back into the mists of time, as long as there has been a wizarding kind. Each Guardian is charged with defending the light side for a time. Dumbledore's tasks included the defeat of Grindelwald, who he defeated twice, once in 1918, and for good in 1945. Godric Gryffindor was my mentor, as Merlin Ambrosius was his. The Order exists to support and protect the Guardian, and that, my boy, is what you are now, or are certainly about to become."

Harry's looked rapidly between Flamel and Dumbledore, trying to take this all in. Flamel nodded at him, and gently said, "Yes, I know it's a lot to take in all at once; but I'm here to help, too. Think of me as your grand-mentor."

Harry looked at Dumbledore and asked, "Professor, what did Sirius mean when he said to remind you I'm not a mushroom?"

"Ah, Harry, your godfather was fond of several types of muggle entertainment, including their music and cinema. The phrase he spoke of is a bit of American idiom, which refers to how mushrooms are grown, which is in the dark, and how they are fertilized, or fed, which is with, er, manure," Dumbledore replied, to the amusement of the others present; however, it had been a perfect opening to lighten things up again. Dumbledore continued, "Harry, how are you feeling? You've had a rather intense day. You and Ginny shall certainly be in the middle of our discussions, but it seems foolish to do more tonight than we have to given the amount you've been through today. Perhaps we should plan how we get through this night, and continue tomorrow at 10:00 tomorrow morning as we had originally planned."

Harry nodded, "I do feel a bit tired. But do you have any idea why this happened tonight?"

Flamel, rather than Dumbledore answered, "I have a theory, Harry. You have a link with Voldemort, of course; when you bonded with Ms. Weasley what you felt - the joy, the love, the completeness, would have flooded through the link as well. It must have been unbearably unpleasant for Voldemort. For the bonding to have taken place required opening both your minds to each other to a great degree. When you physically separated, having not fully adjusted to the changes, you were left wide open to attack. No doubt Voldemort struck back with everything he had from anger. When Ms. Weasley reached your side, you were again beyond his reach. If you had not been interrupted," as both Harry and Ginny blushed, "the link between you might have further stabilized and been less open to outside attack, or provided the same protection even if you were physically apart. For now, however, by remaining in physical proximity, you appear to be beyond Voldemort's reach, and for the short term, that's good enough."

"Voldemort can't get to me now... because Ginny and I are, er, holding hands?" Harry asked, with a guilty glance at Mrs. Weasley. Both Dumbledore and Flamel nodded.

"I could have been...." Harry's gaze locked with Dumbledore's, "Holding hands... with Ginny... all last year... instead of taking Occlumency lessons... with Snape?"

Dumbledore answered slowly, "There is much I do not understand about what has happened here today, Harry. However, I believe the messages left for you both by Sirius were a significant factor."

Flamel added, "You might take comfort in that while the bonding took place, what Voldemort felt through the link was as uncomfortable for him as what he sent back to you, and I suspect it was far longer than the few moments it required for Ms. Weasley to reach your side."

"You mean... that I can cause Voldemort the same sort of pain he's caused me... by," Harry again looked guiltily at Mrs. Weasley, "er... kissing Ginny?"

"Perhaps," Dumbledore replied. "I can tell you this will require some research, as well as whatever intelligence we can gather. But now that Voldemort is prepared, it may be possible that he can take steps...."

"Harry," Molly Weasley spoke to him, "It's ok. There's nothing I've wanted and hoped for more than the two of you to get together and become an even greater part of our family. There could be no joy greater than your children being my grandchildren some day. And if you can give that... that monster You-Know... Voldemort" she spit the name out, an unreadable expression on her face, "a taste of his own medicine... then... then the two of you... snog your hearts out."

Ginny whispered to Harry, "Mum's never said his name before."

Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling brightly, said, "Let us consider the practical matter of tonight. It would be best for Harry to stay the night at his relatives; however, I fear there may be practical difficulties...."

"Leave that to me, Albus," Molly Weasley snapped. "Those despicable muggles will not cause a problem."

"Very well, Molly, I shall leave it in your capable hands." Dumbledore stood. "If there are no other pressing issues, then Professors Flamel and McGonagall and I shall return to Hogwarts, and continue with Harry and Ginny tomorrow morning." No one objected, and the three professors disapparated with a series of soft plops.

Bill glanced at Tonks, and said, "Mum, Tonks and I were here tonight anyway to be close by and keep an eye on things... I wouldn't be surprised if Dumbledore sends reinforcements as well."

Molly nodded at her oldest son. "I'll return to The Burrow long enough to let your father know what is going on, then return here for the night." She turned to Harry and Ginny. "Harry dear, do you feel like you can walk back to your aunt and uncle's?"

"Sure, no problem, Mrs. Weasley," Harry replied.

He and Ginny stood, and followed Molly Weasley back to No. 4 Privet Drive. Molly said nothing as they walked the short distance; there was a certain set to her shoulders that told both Harry and Ginny this was not the time to make small talk.

On reaching the door, Molly rang the bell and they all waited. A few moments later, Vernon Dursley opened the door, and recognizing Mrs. Weasley from the train station the day before, started to turn red in the face, but that was as far as he got. Molly Weasley whipped out her wand, and said, "Dursley, Harry and my youngest daughter have a problem. They are caught in a spell that requires they hold hands or otherwise remain in physical contact for an as of yet undermined amount of time. I'm certain this won't be a problem and that you and Mrs. Dursley will cooperate in any way you can, because if you don't, the results will be ugly far beyond anything you might imagine. Do I make myself clear?"

Vernon Dursley had backed away as she spoke, and simply nodded. Molly Weasley continued, "You should understand this as well. Both my Ginny and Harry have full permission to use magic like any adult wizard. And I should warn you; I have never seen anyone as protective of my Ginny as Harry is. Harry is very good with magic, but sometimes he can let his power get away from him when he's upset. I wouldn't want anything untoward to happen, say, as the result of a misunderstood comment. Am I still making myself clear?"

Vernon nodded again. "Good," Molly continued. "Then these two will be spending the night here. They are quite able to take care of themselves, and will be returning to Arabella's in the morning."

Turning to Harry and Ginny she continued, "Now, kids, if there's any problems, several of us will be near by. Get some rest, and I'll see you both in the morning."

Vernon quickly disappeared back into the house when Molly turned; she remained in the open doorway while Harry led Ginny up the stairs to his room. Harry led Ginny down the hall to the smallest bedroom; they entered, and he locked the door with a spell, then turned to her, blushing, "I wasn't really expecting company."

Ginny smiled. "We'll make out; but we need a bit more room." She flicked her wand; Harry's small twin bed expanded to roughly twice the size; the mattress also became thicker, and by appearances, softer. Several thick pillows replaced the thin one that had graced Harry's bed. Ginny kicked off her trainers, and sat down on the bed. "For tonight, I guess we'll have to sleep like this. If we have to keep this up tomorrow, we'll have to work out what to do about changing clothes and showering."

Harry followed her example, and kicked off his shoes, then removed his socks. Ginny slid across the bed, and allowed Harry to lie down, keeping her hold on his hand. Harry lay on his back, and she snuggled against him, lying on her side against him. Harry, whose face had remained constant red since reaching his room, slipped his arm around her and held her close. He whispered, "Gin, I'm sorry I got you in this mess."

Ginny laughed, "Harry, you have nothing to be sorry for at all. I'm where I want to be, and where you said I could be earlier tonight." Noting his puzzled look, she explained, "At your side, you silly git. Ok, I didn't expect things to happen quite this fast, nor did I expect Mum to...." Her voice trailed off, then she whispered in Harry's ear, "Harry, I'm a good girl who does what her Mummy says. I'm going to snog you silly and hope Tom has a really bad night."