Harry Potter and Unexpected Beginnings

Chapter Twenty

The weekend passed by in a tense state of silence. The boys told Hermione and Ginny about the premonition, and they found themselves staring out the window, waiting for any sign or word from home. They dreaded the idea of what the news would bring, and feared knowing but had no other choice but to worry. It wasn't until late Sunday night as the four sat alone in the common room, unwilling to go to bed and unwanting to face another day of wondering, that the anticipation confronted them full forced. The clock had just struck midnight, when a soft rapping noise echoed from the window. Harry looked up to find Hedwig sitting on the window ledge, her snow white feathers shining like moonbeams in the darkness. He had sent her late Friday to Grimmauld Place, asking to be notified the minute any word was known about Percy. Harry and Ron were first to the window, pulling it open and allowing the bird to enter. He pulled the letter from her foot, offered her a treat, and then eagerly ripped open the letter addressed to him and Ron in Lupin's hand.

"Dear Harry and Ron," he began reading aloud, sitting back at the table they had been trying to study at. "This is to tell you that all is well. The Advance Guard has been watching Percy every second of the day and night, since Dumbledore notified us. Your premonition came to light early this morning. We were there to ward off the Dementors, but the person responsible got away. Molly wanted all of you to know, Percy had a baby girl at two fourteen this morning, naming her Molly Ann Weasley, and their brother has never been prouder. I'll write later. R.L."

"There's another letter," Ginny said, picking up the envelope Harry had sat on the table. She pulled it out, smiling as she recognized the perfect penmanship.

"Dear Harry," she began reading. "I can not thank you enough for all you have done for me, especially after the way I acted last year. I am very sorry for ever doubting you. Penelope hasn't stopped crying since hearing how you saved my life, and I will never be able to repay you for allowing me the chance to be a father to my baby girl. Ron was right to bring you into the family, and I am thrilled you are with Ginny. She couldn't be in better hands, and you have my blessings. You have been a great addition to the family, and I welcome you as a brother. I look forward to seeing all of you soon. Forever your brother, Percy."

"You did it mate," Ron said, patting Harry on the back, as Ginny jumped up, hugging his neck.

"Thank God, they got there in time to stop him," Hermione said, as Ron wrapped his arms around her waist.

"But he got away," Harry complained, accepting and returning the hug from the attractive girl in his arms. "What's to stop him from trying again?"

"Don't worry about that, Harry," said Dumbledore, who had quietly stepped into the room unseen "Percy and Penelope are safe with the Weasleys, and Molly is having the time of her life doting over the baby. Since knowledge of his mission with the Order has come to light, he will no longer be working at the Ministry. He has joined the Order full time."

"Wicked," Ron said with a smile.

"But what about the man who sent the Dementors?" Hermione asked. "Will he still be after Percy?"

"It is possible, Miss Granger," McGonagall added, joining the small group. "But we believe we know who it was that set them after him. It is only a matter of time, before we prove it."

"Who was it?" Harry asked, his arm around Ginny's slender waist as she sat on his lap.

"We can not say at the moment, Mr. Potter," McGonagall added. "But we do believe we can catch him before he tries anything further."

"Mr. Weasley will not be without a companion," commented Dumbledore with a smile. "He has sacrificed enough, for the Order."

"I can't believe it," Ginny said with an almost whimsical smile. "Percy and Penelope married and with a baby. How wonderful."

"You'll be seeing them soon enough," McGonagall said with a warm smile. "You are to spend Christmas holiday at the Order with your family."

"What about Harry?" Ginny demanded. "He's coming with us isn't he?"

"Of course," Dumbledore said.

"Don't be mental, Ginny," Ron demanded. "He's a part of the family isn't he?"

Harry smiled at the thought. It had only taken sixteen years, to get a family of his own. A family he was very happy to be a part of, especially since the very attractive red haired girl was in it with him. He thought again, just how happy he was, he wasn't her brother.

Winter brought with it an unusual amount of snow, arriving the last week in November and not letting up until two days before the Christmas holidays. The feelings of despair had worn off and were replaced with the excitement of the season. The Great Hall had been decorated with live fairies, massive twenty-foot tall trees and mounds of food. The suits of armor shinned and were decorated with mistletoe, garland and holly. Presents were exchanged among friends, songs sang between classes, giggles from girls who had been given presents and sweets from boys, and blushes from boys rewarded by kisses.

Harry sat next to Ron in the Great Hall, with Hermione and Ginny on the other side of the table. He felt miserable. He had intended to get a special gift for Ginny during their first Hogsmeade visit in October, but was unable to find anything he really wanted to get her, spending most of his time and money at Honeydukes and the Weasley's joke shop. About the best he could do, was get her a new pair of mittens she desperately needed. Some Christmas this was going to be, he thought. Their first one together, and he had nothing to show for it.

Ron looked up at Hermione and blushed. Things between them had become much more serious, yet Ron swore they had not become physical since the day in Myrtle's bathroom. He couldn't find the right way to approach the girl about a repeat experience, and was actually having fun just being with her, getting to know her better as a girl rather than a friend. They had agreed not to push things too fast, after enduring three weeks of fear following their first encounter. They had a very real awakening about the consequences to their actions. Hermione had missed her monthly menses, and the two of them had spent many sleepless nights wondering, fearing until she learned it was a false alarm. Since then, they had been extremely distant in that area, yet growing closer in every other way.

Ginny however, had felt anything but content. Harry had been so consumed with extra lessons from Tonks and Snape, that he had literally ignored her. They hadn't spent more than ten minutes alone together, outside of studying and Quidditch, in over a month. The Gryffindor House Team had won their first game against Slytherin, and the excitement of it still rang in everyone's memories. Malfoy had devoted himself to studying in the library most of his evenings, leaving only for classes, meals, sleeping or his Prefect duties, though nobody had the nerve to approach him and ask what it was he was doing. Everything seemed a little odd, and yet really right at the same time. Everything except Harry and Ginny, who both sighed at the same instant.

The morning owls arrived with the mail, dropping letters, packages and presents all over the house tables. Harry picked up the small package from his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon. He reluctantly unwrapped it, then looked inside, surprised at the contents. He remembered what Arthur Weasley had told them before taking Harry away for the summer, warning them to send a real present to their nephew this Christmas. But he never would have expected to see this. Inside was a new watch, a thick black leather band wrapped around a piece of parchment, which simply read, "Happy Holidays."

Harry slipped the watch on, and then looked down to the letter that lay in his plate of eggs, kippers and toast, reading the handwriting. Lupin had been writing to him weekly, taking up where Sirius had left off. Harry smiled. It was nice to have an adult in his life, who was just a friend. It made loosing his godfather seem less painful somehow. Harry opened the letter, glancing up to see Ginny reading one from her parents. He read the words and smiled. Lupin assured him that the Weasley family would be joining them at Grimmauld Place during the Christmas holidays. He also said he had something serious he wanted Harry to help him with, when he got 'home'. Harry was excited to see the whole Weasley family together again, hoping they could all understand and forgive Percy for his absence.

"Hey mate," Ron said, nudging his elbow. "Can I talk to you for a minute, before we go to DADA class?" Harry frowned, then nodded. He glanced to Ginny who had been staring at them, then lowered her eyes when he smiled. Things between the two of them had become extremely tense and distant lately. Harry only hoped the holidays would help mend the rift between them.

"I have to show you something," Ron said once they were out of the Great Hall and on their way to their dormitory. He hurried inside, leading Harry to their shared room. Harry sat on his unmade bed, watching as Ron pulled out the small package that arrived for him in the morning mail. He smiled brightly, holding it up for Harry who took it and unwrapped the brown paper package. Inside was a small velvet box. Harry glanced to Ron, watching as he suddenly began pacing the room. Harry opened it, revealing the small golden band inside, adorned with three small rubies.

"It's not my type, so I would assume it's for Hermione?" Harry teased, picking the ring up from the inside.

"Smart arse," Ron growled. Stopping in front of him. "What do you think?"

"What's it for?"

"I'm going to ask Hermione to be mine," he said. "It's a promise ring. I want to give it to her over the holidays. Think she'll like it?"

"I'm sure she will, but I thought the two of you were already together?"

"Well, I've never asked her like you asked Ginny. I never really had the courage until I found that ring at Hogsmeade. It's taken me over two months to get the money together for it."

"How did you get the money? It looks really expensive."

"It is," Ron said, taking the box and ring back from Harry and slipping it into his robe pocket. "I made a deal with Fred and George. I agreed to sell their stuff to the students, if I got ten percent commission."

"I wish I could find something that nice for Ginny," Harry said sadly. "I haven't been able to get anything for her for Christmas. Things between us have been a little stressful, and I just wanted something really nice to tell her I still love her."

"She knows you love her," Ron said, as the two of them left the room and headed for Tonks' classroom.

"Maybe, but we haven't exactly spent any time together in weeks. I just want to give her something she'll remember and cherish forever."

"There's only one thing she wants from you, and you know it." Harry sighed.

"I know, and I've been thinking a lot about it, especially since we haven't spent even an hour together lately. I mean, it's always been her idea and I told her she would have to wait, which I meant once, but now I'm just not so sure. I don't know how to give her what she wants, or when. I want it to be special for her."

"You mean you don't want it in Myrtle's bathroom, with your best friend listening outside in the hall?" Ron blushed as he smiled his acknowledgement of what it was they were discussing. Harry smiled, shaking his head.

"I want it to be some place warm and soft. Somehow I just can't get excited about taking her on a cold stone floor."

"What about Grimmauld Place?" Ron asked suddenly. "There's plenty of rooms there, and it's like a second home to her."

"But there will also be plenty of people there too. And a lot of them will be her brothers. Remember how you acted when I kissed her? Think about how all five of your brothers will act, when they catch me making love to her, right under their noses. No, Ron. It has to be something really great, something we'll both cherish forever. Until then, I'll just have to try and find the best present I can, in the time I have left."

"Well we aren't leaving until Christmas eve," Ron told him, stepping into the DADA classroom, and looking to find Hermione sitting alone, waiting him. "Maybe you can think of something by then."

"That's two days, Ron. I can't imagine something coming up in that short of time."

"Why don't you owl Fred and George and ask them to pick you up something at Hogsmeade for her? Maybe they can find her a nice necklace or something."

"Sure, and have it explode when she puts it on? No thanks. I'll figure something out on my own."

"What's wrong Harry?" Tonks asked, walking up behind him. Harry turned shrugging his shoulders.

"Just trying to think of something for Ginny for Christmas."

"I know something she really wants," Tonks told him. "See me after class and we'll talk." Harry sat down next to Neville frowning. How did Tonks know what Ginny really wanted? The only thing he could think of was the one thing she kept bugging him for. She wanted him to make love to her, but that couldn't be what Tonks meant, could it? He blushed thinking about how he was going to discuss this with the older, currently red and green haired woman.

Class was over before he knew it, and he suddenly regretted it. Since Tonks began teaching the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, it had been an exciting experience. She had taught them to block spells and hexes, reviewing the past five years of training, then started teaching more of the defenses against spells and curses Voldemort would likely use. She had spent an entire week discussing the Unforgivable Curses, and the reasons they were called Unforgivable. But more than just the lessons, it was her entire outlook and personality. She was always cheerful, upbeat and happy and made everyone a part of the class, bringing them into subject and involving them in the discussions. The students loved her, loved the way she taught, and even loved her constantly changing styles.

Harry started to pack his bag, when Tonks stepped to his side, holding a small box for him. He looked up and frowned at the smile she offered.

"Ginny has always loved this," she clarified. "I was going to give it to her for her birthday next month, but I think you could use it now." Harry opened it up, revealing the cherry oak wood of a small jewelry box. The engraved top had the emblem of Hogwart's on it, and inside was lined in velvet, in the Gryffindor colors of gold and orange. He smiled as he slipped the box into his bag.

"You may have just saved my relationship," he told her, as Ron and Hermione joined them. "Thanks Tonks."

"Glad to be of help. I'll see you guys on the train home," she told them, leaving the three to talk among themselves.

"Now all I need is something to put in it," Harry said softly as they walked out of the room and headed toward their History of Magic class.

"Ginny and I saw a charm bracelet in Diagon Alley, when we went there for our school supplies," Hermione told him. "She really liked it, but it was sort of expensive. You could send an owl to the jewelers and see if they still have it."

"That's actually a great idea, but I can't have it delivered where we're going to be for the holidays."

"I can owl my mum and see if she will pick it up," Hermione suggested again. "She really loves Diagon Alley, and I'm sure she'll do it for you."

"That would be great if she would. I can arrange to have the money waiting for her at Gringott's."

"I'll owl her right after class," Hermione told him with a smile.

"Hermione, you're the best. Thanks so much," Harry said, hugging his friend before they entered the class. He felt suddenly elevated and eager for Christmas.

"Hey, that's enough of that," Ron said, slipping his arm around Hermione's waist. "Get your own girl Harry, this one's mine."

"Sorry Ron," Harry said, then turned and went into the class, taking a seat next to his two best friends. He was so excited about Ginny's present that he actually stayed awake during Binns class. He had already penned out the note to Gringott's and once class was over, he hurried to the Owlery to find Hedwig. Hermione used one of the school owls to send a letter to her mum, while Harry sent Hedwig to Diagon Alley.

"This is going to be a great Christmas, after all," Harry told Hermione and Ron as they went into the Great Hall for lunch. They found Ginny and Neville sitting at the far end of the Gryffindor table.

"Hey guys," Ron said, sitting across from Ginny and next to Neville. "What's going on?"

"We were just talking about Malfoy," Ginny said. "Rumor has it, he's spending the holidays here at Hogwart's, with Snape."

"That has to be horrible," Hermione said, reaching for the plate of fried chicken.

"Can you imagine spending Christmas with old Sour Puss?" Ron asked.

"Even Malfoy doesn't deserve that," Harry said, glancing back to Ginny.

"I can't imagine what it must be like, not to have your family around for the holidays," Ginny said, absently. "I don't know if I could face Christmas without mum and dad, and the rest of the family. No presents, no laughter, no love, no presents. It must be horrible."

"You get used to it," Harry said softly, looking to the girl sitting next to him. Ginny looked up, her eyes wide as she saw the distant look on his emotionless face.

"Oh Harry," she said, touching his shoulder gently. "I didn't mean that to sound the way it did. I would never have insinuated...you know I would never deliberately...I'm so sorry." Harry smiled at her, not quite as bright as he normally did.

"Don't worry about it," he told her. "I haven't really thought much about those days, since I came to Hogwart's."

"And it doesn't matter anymore, any how," Ron said around a mouth full of potatoes. "Harry's a part of our family now, thanks to you, and that's enough to make him wish he could have just one day alone. Just wait until everyone starts laying into us about these two," he motioned to Hermione and Ginny. "You'll wish you could go back down to the Chamber of Secrets again. Anything rather than dealing with five older brothers all at once."

"I can't wait to see them all together again," Ginny said with a warm smile. "I'm so glad Percy is back, and I can hardly wait to see little Molly. I love babies."

"Watch out Harry," Ron said softly, seeing the blush creep up across his friend's face. "Mum's always said that once a girl starts playing with a baby, they want one of their own."

"Don't be a prat Ronald," Ginny scolded. "I may like babies, but I am far too young to consider having one of my own. Besides, Harry has his Auror training to do while I finish my last year of school. We couldn't possibly think about children for at least five years."

"Have it all planned out, do you?" Harry asked, eyeing the young girl next to him.

"Of course," she smiled. "One of us has to think about the future, since you won't."

"And what do you want to do after school?" Neville asked her.

"I don't know right now. I may want to be an Auror as well, it would give Harry and I more time together, but then again I may decide to go into teaching. I'd love to be a professor like Tonks, she's wonderful. What about you? Any plans yet?"

"I definitely want to study Herbology," Neville said with a smile. "I love plants. I can see myself traveling the world, studying exotic plants and herbs."

"Not me," Ron said, gulping down his juice. "I plan on being an Auror with Harry, and once the world is safe from evil, I'm going to be the greatest Quidditch player the wizarding world has ever seen."

"What about you, Hermione?" Ginny asked, looking at the girl across from her. "What do you plan on doing with your life?"

"I don't know right now. I may decide to be an Auror as well, it's been suggested I'd make a good one, but then again I love learning so I may go on to college. America has a marvelous university in Salem that I may consider."

"College in America?" Ron asked in surprise. "Why would you want to go there?"

"What's wrong with America, might I ask? They have witches there, just as here."

"It's not that," Ron argued. "It's just that I'd never see you. It's a little difficult to have a relationship with a person, when you have an ocean separating you."

"You're assuming a great deal, Ron," Hermione said, staring at him. "What makes you think we'll have any kind of relationship once school is over?" Ron's mouth fell open and his eyes grew as large as saucers, while he tried to make sensible words escape his throat. After several moments the most he could accomplish were a few muted grunts. "You can't keep taking me for granted, you know?" she told him after a moment. "I have a life and I have goals, and maybe you should think if they include you or not."

"Are you saying you don't want me to be a part of your life, once school is over?"

"No that's not what I'm saying at all. All I'm saying is you need to make a few choices of your own, and then try and figure out where I fit in to them. I'm not just going to stand by and wait while you take your sweet time deciding whether or not you want me to be a part of them. I won't wait forever Ronald Weasley."

"I'm not asking you to wait forever," Ron snapped. "And I do not take you for granted."

"Really? Who do you turn to, expecting answers with homework assignments? Who do you expect to bail you out, every time you need help, or when you don't understand something? Who do you turn to when you want to snog in the closets, assuming that I'll just say yes?"

"That's not how I look at you," Ron tried to explain, only to have Hermione stand up from the table and look down at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of hurt and anger. "And I don't exactly hear you complaining very much, when we find that empty closet."

"Rubbish. I think it's time you decide what you want from me, because I have plans of my own and maybe they include you and maybe they don't, but its only fair you think about where you want me in your life." With that said, Hermione turned and walked straight for the Great Hall door, leaving a very stunned Gryffindor table to look after her.

"What did I do?" Ron asked after a moment.

"You fell in love with her, and forgot to tell her," Ginny said with a sigh. Sometimes it was hard to imagine that she could possibly be related to him.