A Matter of Circumstance

Chapter 14 - Admissions

When Harry arrived at The Burrow that evening, he was surprised to find Ginny setting up a table in the back garden. As she apparently had not noticed his arrival, he took a few moments to stand quietly watching her. It was a pleasant detached feeling that buzzed around him as he observed her every move. He was hypnotized by the way her hands smoothed over the tablecloth. When she stood back and brushed the hair away from her face, he was entranced by her graceful and fluid movements. He felt warmth and contentment wrap itself around him as he realized once more the depth of his feelings for her.

The loud bang of the back door flying open caused Harry to be jolted from his thoughts. Glancing to the house, he watched as a parade of chairs floated through the doorway followed by Ron who was directing them with his wand. Ron stopped just outside the door and turned back toward the kitchen. He appeared to be apologizing profusely to someone behind him and his lack of attention to his wand work caused the chairs to crash to the ground.

Deciding to make his presence known, Harry strode toward the door, pulling his wand from his back pocket. As he approached, he saw Mrs. Weasley just inside the kitchen door addressing her youngest son. "Honestly Ronald ... my heart just can't take loud bangs anymore!" An empty tray dangled from one of her hands, her other hand splayed over her heart. "I thought for a minute that Fred and George were back home," she muttered with exasperation. "Do be more careful next time," she chided as she turned away from the door. When she moved back into the kitchen, Harry grinned as he noticed dinner rolls scattered on the floor.

With a wave of his wand, Harry levitated the chairs off the ground. Ron look toward his best friend and a smile broke out over his face. "Cheers, mate!" he said as he closed the back door with exaggerated care. "Glad you decided to join us."

"I was afraid that if I didn't, the three ladies who invited me might be upset." Harry chuckled softly and tilted his head in the direction of the house. "I don't think I want to be on your mum's bad side."

"Not a fun place to be, I can assure you," agreed Ron with a shiver.

As Harry turned to float the chairs over to the table, he caught sight of Ginny. She was standing next to the table, both arms crossed in front of her and tapping her foot impatiently. She appeared to be trying to repress a grin, but failing miserably.

"Though I'm not sure you could ever be on her bad side," Ron whispered as he lightly elbowed Harry.

Harry felt a slight warmth in his cheeks as he looked at his friend. "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you on that one," he whispered in return. "She's been mad at me loads of times. I'm just lucky that she seems to have the inordinate ability to forgive me." Smiling wistfully, he glanced back toward Ginny whose hands had now moved to her hips. When their eyes met, she cocked one eyebrow at him and tilted her head. "Er ... I'd best get these chairs over there or I might find myself out of luck."

"I happen to think there's a very good reason that she's able to forgive you so easily ... and luck has nothing to do with it." Ron chuckled and patted Harry's shoulder. "I'd better get back inside ... Hermione was pulling out dishes for me to carry."

Harry took a short moment to watch as Ron headed back into the kitchen. He sincerely hoped that Ron's instincts about Ginny's feelings were right. There were moments when he truly believed she did still love him. Other times he wasn't so sure. Apparently, she had quite a bit of experience in hiding her feelings. As he guided the chairs to the table, it occurred to him that perhaps she wouldn't hide her feelings if he would share his own.

As he approached her, Ginny graced him with a broad smile. Removing her hands from her hips, she reached out to take hold of one of the chairs hanging in mid-air. "I'm glad you came, Harry," she said softly.

"Wouldn't have missed it." Harry smiled in return. He released the charm and lowered the remaining chairs to the ground. As he picked up one of the chairs to place it at the table, he glanced at Ginny. "Besides ... it got me out of my turn at cooking tonight," he added with a smirk.

Ginny laughed and placed a chair at the head of the table. With a mischievious look in her eyes, she moved to pick up the next chair. "Well ... you aren't the only one glad to get out of you cooking tonight," she quipped.

Harry stopped midway though moving another chair to the table. "I am truly hurt by that, Miss Weasley," he said, feigning a wounded look on his face.

She rolled her eyes at him and smiled. "Give it up, Potter."

"I'd give you anything," he answered with a leer and a waggle of his brows.

A faint pink tinge crept into her cheeks and she looked away briefly. When her eyes returned to him, they lingered for only a moment on his face before sweeping down to his chest. The appreciative look on her face made his heart skip a beat. He put down the chair he was holding and took a step closer to her. "The jumper is beautiful, Ginny. Thank you."

Her gaze never leaving his torso, Ginny moved closer still. Reaching out with one hand, she gently trailed her fingers down one of his arms causing a tingle to radiate through his body. "It looks wonderful on you." She brought her gaze up to his. "I'm so glad you wore it."

Harry felt incapable of speech as he looked down into Ginny's eyes. The desire he saw there reflected his own. The realization that this encounter was happening outside their required joinings caused his breath to hitch and a joyous feeling to swell within him.

He was seconds away from pulling her into his arms to thank her properly when the moment was cut short. Ron and Hermione had arrived laden down with plates, napkins and cutlery. Hermione had a look of long suffering on her face as she carefully placed her burden onto the table. She rolled her eyes as Ron faced Harry to complain.

"I ask you ... what's the point of being a wizard if I end up having to lug all this out by hand?" Ron groused. "I mean, that's what levitation is for. Even if something got broken, it could be fixed with a flick of my wand."

Unsure of how to respond, Harry looked to Hermione helplessly. She graced him with a smile and stepped up to him. "Don't mind him ... he's feeling hen-pecked right now." She pulled him into a tight embrace. "Hi, Harry," she said into his shoulder.

Harry hugged her back and chuckled softly. "Hello, Hermione," he responded. "You haven't been picking on one of my best friends now, have you?" He looked over her head and gave Ron a wink.

Hermione stepped back from Harry's embrace and laughed. "He only thinks I am," she replied. Moving back next to Ron, she reached up with one hand and tenderly cupped his cheek. At his bewildered look, she whispered, "You can do magic for me anytime."

As the tips of Ron's ears flushed bright red, Harry quickly turned to find where Ginny had gone. A broad grin broke over his face at the sight of her with her fist to her mouth. She was blushing furiously and her efforts to keep from laughing were causing her eyes to tear. Deciding they needed to make a quick exit, Harry strode to Ginny and took her by the arm. "Let's go help in the kitchen."

~*~

After supper, the six adults lingered at the table for a while talking. Much to Harry's displeasure, the subject of the article in the Daily Prophet eventually did come up. Of course, that led to a discussion about Ginny's suspension from Quidditch which in turn sent Hermione into a tangent about the inequalities in the Wizarding World. Harry was grateful when Ginny, sitting beside him, took hold of his hand under the table and gave it a squeeze. He met her gaze and was warmed by her encouraging smile.

When Ron mentioned the mysterious attack on the Daily Prophet reporter, Harry glanced at Mrs. Weasley expecting to see her disapproving scowl. Instead he was surprised to find her watching Ginny and him with a gleam in her eyes and a knowing smile on her face.

As the sun nearly set, the conversation waned and everyone began gathering up their plates to take them into the house. Inside the kitchen, it was crowded and filled with the sounds of clanking dishes. It didn't take long for one too many elbows to be bumped and a plate to go crashing to the floor.

"That's it!" Ginny's voice rose above the din. "Out ... everybody out!" She looked quickly to Hermione as if in confirmation. "Hermione and I are cleaning up here. Everyone else needs to go relax." She looked pointedly at Mrs. Weasley. "You too, Mum. You've worked hard preparing all this. We'll take it from here."

Both Ron and Mr. Weasley seemed perfectly happy to abandon the effort to help. "Sounds like the perfect opportunity to go get those Muggle tools you wanted to borrow," Mr. Weasley said, turning to his son. As they headed toward the back door, Harry considered going with them -- he always enjoyed watching the elder Weasley's enthusiasm for anything Muggle. On the other hand, he really felt he should stay and see if there wasn't something he could do to help.

"Girls ... really, I can manage to take care of the mess. I've been cleaning up after a much bigger lot than this for years." protested Mrs. Weasley.

"Exactly," agreed Ginny. "Which is why you deserve to sit back and let someone else take care of it for once." She turned to Harry with a pleading look in her eyes. "Harry, would you please escort Mum into the lounge for a bit while we finish up in here?"

Harry turned to face Mrs. Weasley and held out his arm. "I couldn't ask for more charming after-dinner company," he said with a bow. "Shall we?"

Mrs. Weasley smiled and shook her head at his antics. "Really, Harry ..." she admonished with a small giggle. She took his offer, however, and curled her hand under his elbow to rest on his forearm. With a smile and nod to Ginny and Hermione, Harry led Mrs. Weasley into the next room.

Once alone, Harry wasn't sure what would be a safe topic of conversation with Mrs. Weasley. Letting go of his arm, she took a seat in one of the comfortable arm chairs and Harry moved to take a place on the sofa. Deciding that he should say something before the silence became too uncomfortable, he glanced around the room for inspiration. Spying a basket with yarn and knitting needles near the fireplace, he thought he discovered a topic that could be both innocuous and informative.

"It looks like you've been keeping busy knitting. With the number of people in your family, I would imagine it's a rather daunting task." Harry sat back and pulled one leg up to rest his ankle on his knee.

"It's a labor of love," she answered. "I now have to start quite early in the year to have jumpers for everyone finished by Christmas."

"Did you ever teach Ginny to knit?" After he asked, he internally cringed realizing that sounded rather abrupt.

Mrs. Weasley appeared unruffled by his query. "As a matter of fact, I did," she replied. Her eyes twinkled with amusement as she smiled at him knowingly. "I believe you are wearing her handiwork right now."

"Oh." Harry looked down at the jumper he wore. When he had first slipped in on, he couldn't believe how soft it felt against his skin. The fit had been perfect and the velvety garment had draped against his body in a sensual caress. As he looked back to Mrs. Weasley, he couldn't help wondering how she knew that Ginny had made it for him.

As if she could read the question in his mind, Mrs. Weasley's smile widened. "Of course I know, dear. Who do you think she asked for your size?"

Harry nodded with understanding. Mrs. Weasley had been making a new jumper for him every year for Christmas since he was eleven. He'd never questioned how she knew what would fit him. He assumed, having had six boys she was more than familiar with sizing.

"I must say, that's some of the finest work I've ever seen Ginny do," Mrs. Weasley continued. "She never really showed much of an interest in knitting."

"Er ... it is very nice." Harry fingered the fine ribbing at the edge of one sleeve. His stomach made a funny little jolt as he realized all the time and effort Ginny must have spent in making this ... for him.

"Harry, dear ..."

Harry looked up to meet Mrs. Weasley's gaze. He was struck by the compassionate look on her face.

"Have you realized yet that you love her?"

Harry's mouth dropped open a little and he stared in astonishment at Mrs. Weasley.

"It's all right dear," she assured him. "I've known for some time now. I've seen that same look on each of my boys' faces."

Gaining a little of his composure back, Harry smiled wryly at the Weasley matriarch. "I didn't realize it was that obvious."

"Not to just anyone," she consoled. "Do you plan on telling her anytime soon?"

Harry now felt a little of his confidence slip. "I'm not sure ..." He hesitated a moment while she sat patiently watching him. "I really don't know how she would take it. And under the current circumstances--"

"Nonsense," she admonished. "You'll never know how she'll respond if you don't tell her. Mark my words ... you'll both be much happier if you get your feelings out into the open."

Harry marveled at how she could look both stern and comforting at the same time. He didn't have an opportunity to consider her advice, though. At that moment, Mr. Weasley and Ron came walking into the lounge, Ron carrying a small box with bits of colorful wire hanging over the edges.

While Ron found a place to set down his box, Mr. Weasley stepped over to Mrs. Weasley and held out his hand. "There's a lovely moon out tonight, Molly. Care to go for a stroll?"

Mrs. Weasley beamed at him and took his hand. Together they headed toward the front door. "We'll be back in a bit, kids," Mr. Weasley called over his shoulder as he opened the door and ushered his wife outside.

When the door had closed behind them, Harry found Ron staring intently at him. There appeared to be a bit of agitation in his expression and Harry wondered why he could be upset. It appeared that he wasn't ready to share with Harry just yet as Ron' eyes flicked to the table where a chess set sat waiting.

"Fancy as round of chess, Harry?" Ron asked. Not even waiting for an answer, he moved to the table and pulled out a chair.

Harry was very suspicious of Ron's behavior but decided he would get to the bottom of it much faster if he just went along. He joined Ron and the table and they sat down to play.

Conversation was sparse as the two friends directed their pieces in battle. Normally, Harry wouldn't have found the silence uncomfortable, but he knew that there was something that Ron was trying to work up the courage to say. As Harry directed his bishop in an attempt to counter a move made by Ron, he felt the weight of Ron's stare. Looking up, he realized that Ron had decided that the time had come to get to the heart of the matter.

"Dad mentioned to me that you offered to marry Ginny." The intensity of Ron's look took Harry by surprise. Ron heaved a sigh and continued. "Harry, my friend ... knowing you as I do, I'd have to wager you brought it up with Ginny as well."

Harry wondered where Ron was going with this conversation. Not quite sure that he felt like discussing Ginny's reaction, but unable to ignore the unspoken question, Harry simply nodded his head.

Ron winced slightly in response. "Have you told her how you feel yet?" Ron returned his gaze to the board as if to make his query seem casual.

Harry hesitated in answering as he watched Ron make his next move. Without looking up from the game, Harry finally responded. "I've worried about making her more uncomfortable. What if she doesn't feel remotely the same toward me? With this spell over our heads, it could make a difficult situation even harder." Harry sighed in frustration. "But I want to ... very much."

"Harry, you git," Ron said with exasperation. "Didn't it occur to you how uncomfortable it might make her -- thinking you've only offered out of kindness ... or pity?"

Harry's eyes looked up to meet Ron's and his stomach rolled unpleasantly as he realized how Ginny might have perceived his suggestion of marriage as charity. "I didn't offer out of pity," he retorted indignantly. But he couldn't help but wonder how much truth there was to that statement. The thought of marriage had occurred to him while searching for a solution to her portrayal as a scarlet woman in the press. It was a situation he felt responsible for, and one for which he felt badly that Ginny was suffering the consequences.

"And, I haven't told her how I feel because she's just been under so much stress ... I didn't want to make it worse," he added lamely. "I didn't think it was fair to burden her with my feelings, too. And so soon after being hurt by Mark--"

"--Don't mention that prat's name," Ron interrupted with a shudder. "Ginny was in love with you long before she ever met ... him. She told you that, didn't she?"

"She did." Harry's brow furrowed as he tried to recall the exact conversation he and Ginny had had after their first time together. "I don't think she ever answered me," Harry said with some surprise.

"Answered you what?" Ron looked a little confused.

"I'd asked her when she stopped loving me," Harry answered absently as his mind considered the possibilities. "She didn't answer my question ... she avoided it." His heart was pounding hard in his chest as he thought, once more, she may never have stopped loving him.

"Why is it so obvious to everyone but you that Ginny loves you?" Ron reached across the table and placed a hand comfortingly on Harry's shoulder. "Look, mate ... I can't tell you what to do, but I think you need to tell her how you feel. As for the stress ... well ... let me ask you, would it make you feel more comfortable knowing she loves you and wants to be with you?"

Harry was struck by the truth behind Ron's words. He stared back into the eyes of his friend with admiration. A small laugh of relief escaped from him and he shook his head in amazement. "When did you get to be so wise?"

"Ah ... chess, my friend. Helps to develop the power of observation. You learn to look through the eyes of your opponent and develop your strategy based on what you see." Ron returned Harry's grin and gently squeezed his shoulder. He returned his attention to the board in front of them. "It's your move, Harry." His eyes flicked up to Harry's once more with a mischievous glint. "Only next time ... don't just offer to marry Ginny. Do it properly and ask her."

It wasn't long before Harry and Ron were joined by Ginny and Hermione. Harry watched as Hermione perched herself on the arm of Ron's chair. Ron's attention to his chess pieces didn't waver as he slipped his arm comfortably around her waist and pulled her in closely to himself. Hermione's eyes studying the board, she asked, "Who's winning?" She then placed a soft kiss on the top of Ron's head.

Harry glanced at Ginny and found her standing near the table and smiling wistfully at her brother and friend. Unfortunately, Harry couldn't think of a suitable way to get Ginny sitting in his lap so he instead took the opportunity to at least bring her closer to him.

"Ginny, you've beaten this git ... I could use some help." Harry quickly stood to move an empty chair close to his. Holding onto the back of the chair, he gave Ginny a smile and asked, "Please?"

Ron barked out a laugh. "Does that answer your question, love? He has to bring in reinforcements."

Ginny took the seat offered her and the match continued. Their conversation was light and enjoyable as each person's thoughts appeared focused elsewhere. Harry was touched, if not a little embarrassed, to watch the tender interaction been his two best friends. At times they seemed so lost in their looks at one another, it was a wonder to him how Ron was still managing to beat him.

With Ginny's help, Harry's game seemed to recover for a while, but he had reached the conclusion a while ago that it was a lost cause. He thought that Ginny, too, seemed to be very interested in watching her brother and his wife. Her eyes seemed to light up with every affectionate gesture Ron made toward Hermione and Harry wondered briefly if Ginny was missing that type of interaction. There were moments when he could hardly keep himself from reaching out and pulling her close to him. He wanted so badly to be able to show her how much he loved her.

Soon Mr. and Mrs. Weasley returned from their walk and Mrs. Weasley supplied everyone with fresh tea. Harry wanted to laugh at the thought of all six of them gathered around to watch a chess match in which clearly no one was really interested. It wasn't long after that Ron's imminent victory was complete and everyone sat back for quiet conversation.

While engaged in a discussion with Mr. Weasley, Harry couldn't help but notice the quiet whispers going on between Ron and Hermione. They seemed to be very intent in their discussion as Hermione's face virtually shone with excitement. Ron pulled her hand into both of his and brought it to his lips. Without taking his eyes from Hermione, Ron cleared his throat. "Hermione and I have a small announcement to make."

The conversations halted as everyone's attention was diverted to Ron and Hermione. Hermione's eyes danced nervously from face to face as Ron was obviously relishing the suspense.

Harry glanced at Ginny with his brow raised and she simply grinned and shrugged her shoulders. Mrs. Weasley was now perched on the edge of her seat and was looking intently at her son. With a cough, Mr. Weasley seemed to pull Ron from his basking in the spotlight.

"Well, Hermione is ... I mean ... we're going to have a baby." Ron pulled Hermione's hand and clasped it near his heart.

The squeals of delight coming from Mrs. Weasley drowned out all other responses to Ron's news. Everyone was out of their seat within seconds and there were handshakes and hugs all around amid joyous exclamations and tears. As the evening wound down, Harry noticed Ginny had a far away look in her eyes and a wistful smile on her face. He wondered if she, like himself, had been considering what it would be like to be in Ron and Hermione's shoes right now.

Harry made his way over to where Ginny was in conversation with Mrs. Weasley and Hermione. He hated to break up this celebration, but the hour was getting late. Placing his hand gently on her arm, he got her attention. He slid his hand down her arm and grasped her hand. Gently lifting her hand, he glanced briefly at the watch on her wrist. "Are you about ready to leave?"

After giving their congratulations again to Ron and Hermione and bidding good night to the family, Harry and Ginny Apparated back home to Hogsmeade.

Inside the lounge, Ginny collapsed onto the sofa with a huge sigh. "Being around my family always wears me out. But what exciting news about Ron and Hermione!"

Smiling, Harry sat down next to her and turned to watch the twinkle in her eyes.

"I can't believe that Ron is going to be a father. And Hermione will make such a wonderful mother," she continued. She turned to face Harry. "Don't you think it's just wonderful?"

"I think it's incredible," agreed Harry. He grinned broadly, indeed happy for Ron and Hermione, but more so for the beautiful woman sitting in front of him. Her joy fairly radiated from her and he thought he'd burst from the love he had for her at that moment.

"I just adore watching them. They are so much in love," she continued to gush. Harry marveled at how in the midst of all the turmoil in her own life, Ginny could be so loving and giving toward others. It was one more thing that made her just perfect in his eyes.

"Yes, they are. And they will make wonderful parents." Harry reached out a moved a long curl behind Ginny's shoulder. "Though I have to admit, I've never pictured them with children." He gave her a small smile. "Well, I can't say I've pictured myself with children either. How about you?"

"What? Picture you with children?" She laughed as he rolled his eyes. "I suppose I just assumed I would have children one day -- although I've never given it any serious thought. Of course, there were times growing up when Mum was being particularly unreasonable that I thought that I would never treat my children that way. But I don't think that's the same thing." She shifted her leg up underneath her and turned more fully toward Harry. Her voice took on a serious tone and she looked down. "I say I haven't given it serious thought, but I suppose that doesn't hold true for recent weeks ... in light of ... current circumstances." Her face had taken on that far away look again and she traced the pattern on the sofa with her finger. "Haven't you wondered what will happen if ..."

"I'd be lying if I said that I hadn't thought about it at all, Ginny." The conversation had moved into dangerous territory and Harry worried about how she might take his response. He didn't want her to think that only the obligation of a baby would be his reason for staying with her. While he would take the responsibility of a child very seriously, he knew that Ginny didn't yet understand that baby or no baby -- he had no desire to ever be without her.

Since the beginning of this situation, Harry had placed great faith in the abilities of Dumbledore and the others to find a solution before a child was produced. Because of this, he had avoided thinking much about what would happen in the event she did become pregnant. He supposed that had made him a bit blind to the possibilities, but he didn't want her to think that he had been callous and disregarded of her feelings.

Of course, his own feelings had changed since the beginning. Once he realized that he loved her, he had tried not to think of them creating a life. Not that he didn't want children ... far from it. He could think of few things that would thrill him more. He just wanted children to be a product of love and not this damned spell. To do that, he needed to let her know how he felt and he prayed that she would return his love.

He knew that the time had come. Taking a deep breath and, placing his heart on his sleeve, he began. "I've always wanted a family of my own. But as much as I would like children, when all of this began, I worried about you being forced into motherhood prematurely. By allowing myself to believe that a solution would be found in time, I have avoided thinking about something over which I had no control." Leaning in closer to her, Harry placed his fingertips under her chin and tilted her head up to meet his eyes. "I do want to have children some day ... with the one woman I know is meant for me." He gently guided her face closer to him as he leaned down to meet her. When his lips were just inches from hers, his voice dropped to a whisper. "I just hope she feels the same way about me." He closed the distance, capturing her mouth in a tender kiss filled with his emotions.

Ginny opened her mouth to him with a small moan. The kiss deepened as their tongues tangled together. Harry slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him as her fingers slid into his hair. He wanted to lay back and pull her on top of him ... to feel as much of her pressed tight to him as he could. But he had no intention of making the sofa where he expressed his love for her. This needed to be "the stuff dreams are made of," as Ginny had put it.

Breaking their kiss, he rose from the sofa. He took her hands into his own and gently pulled her to her feet. Bending down he once more took her lips with his own. Wrapping one arm around her, he slid his other hand underneath her and swept her up into his arms. Without breaking their kiss, he carried her toward the stairs. When they reached the bottom step, Ginny pulled her lips from his and protested, "You don't need to carry me--"

"Shhh," he replied as he climbed the staircase. With a slight grin on his face, he winked at her. "There are certain ways this has to be done and you can't break the rules." Any comment she might have made was immediately swallowed by his kiss.

At a gesture from his hand underneath her, his bedroom door flew open. He strode purposefully into the room and gently kicked the door closed again with his foot. In the dim moonlight coming in through the window, he made his way to the bedside. With great care, he lowered her onto the soft duvet. Breaking their kiss, his eyes never left hers as he stood up straight. Drawing on the overflow of emotions within him, he raised his hand and with a wave several candles in the room flared to life creating an ethereal glow.

With each article of clothing he removed from her, he stroked and kissed and teased her exposed skin with his tongue. By the time she was completely naked, she was writhing under his hands, her breath coming in short gasps. Divesting himself of clothes, he lay down next to her and pulled her into his arms.

Their hands roamed freely over one another as they kissed and their passion grew to an almost unbearable limit. Panting for breath, Ginny pulled her lips from Harry and looked into his eyes. "Please, Harry ..."

He would never recall consciously setting a rhythm. His body simply took over as his mind was completed consumed by the woman beneath him. He was not aware of what his hands were doing nor did he know where she touched him. All he knew was the warmth and comfort of being enveloped by Ginny. He was aware of her crying out in ecstasy only mere moments before his own climax crashed over him like a tidal wave.

As they lay entangled together gasping for breath, a single phrase rose to Harry's mind through the haze of euphoria that surrounded him. It screamed to be said but he wanted - needed - to wait until Ginny's eyes met his own. He longed for her to know that it did not slip casually from his lips but came from his heart and soul. When her lids finally lifted and she looked to him, their eyes locked. He gently ran his fingers over her cheek and into her hair and willed her to know that his words were heartfelt.

"I love you, Ginny."