Harry Potter and the Loss of Innocence

Ioci

Story Summary:
Harry is stuck at Privet Drive and has much to think about. A crazed wizard out to kill him. The death of his godfather and friend. The Prophesy looming in front of him. And not even one note from his friends. That's been Harry's summer holiday thus far, so can you blame him for wanting it to end? But should Harry really be looking forward to a year filled with surprises of all kinds and not all of them good? *HP sixth year fic following OotP and not incorporating HBP*

Chapter 21

Chapter Summary:
Harry has a talk with Ginny's older brothers and goes shopping, 'cause he doesn't have any gifts... well, he has Ginny's, but that's a secret of sorts.
Posted:
04/30/2005
Hits:
4,522
Author's Note:
A huge thanks to RR, DM, Chris, and Pixie! You're all great!!


Chapter Twenty-One: His Family

When you are with me
I'm free... I'm careless... I believe...
Above all others we'll fly
~Creed: My Sacrifice

It took almost half an hour to get everyone settled in. Harry was surprised to learn that Remus and Tonks were staying for the break too. That is, he was until Fred told him that it was so that they could watch over Harry. The weirdest part of the chaos was that only three people had arrived. Charlie, Remus, and Tonks had arrived the day before and were all settled in. And there was only one new guest, Harry.

When the chaos subsided, Harry went downstairs with Ron to play some chess. He knew that he'd lose, but it was one of the few things he and Ron could do without getting angry at one another. Remus was sitting on the couch by the fireplace with Tonks. They were talking with Bill and Charlie across from them. Harry smiled at them in greeting and sat at the chess table in the corner.

Throughout the game Harry felt the oldest two Weasley boys' eyes on him. Harry wondered why they were all so apprehensive about Ginny and him. The only brothers who took it in stride were the twins, but Harry wasn't even sure about that.

Time passed and Harry had started a second game with Ron. Ginny entered the room and sat next to Tonks; she was now talking with her two brothers. Harry loved the way they teased one another and the way Ginny usually won.

"Harry, it's your turn," Ron said irate. "Stop goggling my sister and move." Harry's cheeks were tinged red as he moved his knight. Ron proceeded to capture it with a pawn.

"You're hopeless at chess," Remus commented from his spot.

"Thanks," Harry mumbled. "You wouldn't help me would you?"

"No," Remus said with a laugh. "Experience is the best teacher."

"Yeah, well you'd think I'd win more often then," Harry grumbled. "I've played countless games and have probably lost 98% of them. And that 2%, well, I have a feeling that they let me win." Bill, Charlie, and Tonks joined in with Ron's and Remus' laughing.

Ginny smiled at him and nodded. "You better believe we let you win, Harry. You'd think you'd pay the favor back and let us win a duel or two."

"I'd have to dumb it down so far," Harry replied in turn, "that it would be stupid."

"And the games you win aren't?" Harry smiled at her and laughed. He rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the board. There had to be some trick to this game. "Here, I'll help." She got up and walked over to Harry's chair. She took her accustomed spot on its armrest and put her arm around his head and shoulder.

Between Harry and Ginny (though it was mostly Ginny) Ron was defeated. Bill asked if he could play against Ron; Harry nodded and got up. Ginny led him to the couch and they sat next to Charlie.

"Is Thia coming?" Harry asked Remus when the conversation came to an end.

"Yeah, but she's not staying here," Remus answered cheerily. Harry was glad Tonks had made him so carefree. It almost seemed as if some of his grey hair was replaced by brown hair. "She'll be coming on your trip to Hogsmeade. That should be a fun trip."

"When are we going?" Ginny asked. She was holding Harry's hand and she kept running her finger up and down his palm. They weren't snuggling as they normally would. Harry was too conscious of the three brothers in the room to hold her close.

"Tomorrow," Tonks added brightly. "Who do you need to shop for, Harry?"

"Everyone," he said, but changed his mind. "Well, I think I have Ginny's gift already, but I'm not sure. Why?"

"Well, we need to figure out the schedules," Charlie answered. "If you can't have your friends with you when you shop, that means we'll need a second guard or even a third if they need to split too."

"What happens if I want to buy something for a person in my guard?" Harry asked trying to stump them.

"Just tell one of the others and we'll distract them," Tonks added with a laugh.

"Then why can't you do that with my friends?" Harry asked.

"Good point," Remus said thoughtfully. "Ron, do you need to shop?"

"No, Hermione knew it would be the only chance we'd get to shop," Ron answered as Bill's castle took out his right side bishop. "So we bought our stuff then."

"What about your gift for her?" Bill asked as Ron's knight took out the offending castle.

"Bought it when her back was turned," Ron said waiting patiently for his turn.

"So she knows what it is," Charlie stated. Ron shook his head and moved one of his pawns forward.

"No, she doesn't," Ron replied. "She thinks I bought her a book."

"And what did you buy her?" Ginny asked curiously. She tried to get Harry to snuggle but he tensed up. There was no way he'd do anything to piss off these brothers.

"Like I'd tell you, Ginny," Ron said scornfully. "You'd tell her in a heartbeat."

"I would not," Ginny replied, sticking out her tongue.

"Yes, you would," Harry added with a smile. "You told her both of our birthday gifts for her back in September."

"Whose side are you on anyways?" Ginny asked him angrily.

"The side of Truth, Gin," Harry replied with a laugh. "I can't help it if you can't keep a secret from Hermione and she can't keep a secret from you." She hit him hard in the chest and then kissed him.

"Oy, Ginny, you're blinding us!" Fred said walking in. Harry tried to break away, but she wasn't going to let him get away with it.

"Ginny," Bill said quickly and calmly, "the room is filled with your brothers. Let him go." Harry surrendered to the kiss deciding that he might as well turn this punishment against her.

"Some way to punish him," Charlie muttered angrily. "If only my girlfriend saw snogging as a punishment."

"It is with a room filled of brothers," George said menacingly. The kiss had deepened and both Ginny and Harry had forgotten about the room filled of people. The brothers started to get really angry with the two. All Bill could think of was if this is what they did in a room filled with Ginny's brothers, what did they do alone?

"See what I mean?" Ron said pointing at the two. "Disgusting."

Remus laughed at the brothers and this brought Harry and Ginny up for air. They smiled shakily at the brothers, both blushing furiously. Ginny hadn't meant it to go that far and Harry sure hadn't either.

"I'm going to bed," Ginny said quickly jumping up and heading for the stairs. "'Night Ron, Fred, George, Charlie, Bill, Remus, Tonks, and Harry. See you all in the morning."

Harry gulped and muttered, "Thanks, just leave me to fend for myself."

Tonks took one look at the guys in the room and laughed. "I'm glad I don't have brothers. Gees, if this is what they're like..." She shook her head. "Why, I'd never be able to do this." She leaned over and started to kiss Remus. Their kiss rivaled the one just shared between Harry and Ginny.

"I did not need to see that," George said leaving the room quickly. Harry had to agree and fled the room while Tonks and Remus distracted the other brothers. He climbed the stairs and found Ginny laughing on the landing.

"Thanks, Gin," he said when he caught up to her.

"You're still alive," she mumbled quietly.

"Yeah, only because Tonks started snogging Remus," he said, thoroughly grossed out. "I fled under cover of that distraction." She smiled at him.

"Well, it's a good way to let my brothers know that we aren't afraid of them."

"I don't know," Harry said skeptically. "You fleeing right away might have sent the wrong message." Ginny laughed.

"Sorry 'bout that," Ginny apologized. "I didn't mean to make it last so long. I just wanted to snuggle."

"I don't know if your brothers want to see anyone snuggling with you who isn't directed related to you," Harry told her truthfully,

"And I don't care," she said putting her hands on her hips. "They're going to need to get used to it. If it's not you, it'll be some other guy."

"Already planning your next boyfriend, Gin?" Harry asked trapping her against the wall with his arms and body.

"And if I am?" she asked defiantly.

"I'll have to make sure you don't live long enough to have one," he said capturing her lips with his. They broke breathless and smiled at one another.

"Hm," Ginny said pretending to thing hard. "I think you'll last a little longer."

"Could you get out of the way?" George said sternly. Behind him were Fred, Bill, Charlie, and Ron. "Some of us would appreciate washing our hands before supper." Harry jumped away from Ginny and bounded up the stairs. He knew he was in hot water now.

The door to Ron's room slammed opened and all of the brothers entered in. Harry swallowed a gulp, but did glance briefly at the window, hoping for a way out. They filed in and shut the door behind them. Each one cracked their knuckles and Harry thought briefly about yelling for help. He knew it'd never come in time.

"We all like you, Harry," Charlie started quietly. "We really do."

"But we'd rather not watch you two snog," George said angrily.

"And if you do just one thing that's inappropriate with our sister," Bill added.

"You can expect this," Fred said pretending to slice his neck with his finger.

"Don't let us catch you snogging her senseless again," George said cheerfully; Harry knew it was strained. He had sounded too angry before to be over it so quickly.

"I told you, Harry," Ron scolded, "that Ginny was my concern. Well, she's all of ours." Ron pointed to each of his brothers.

"And she's my girlfriend," Harry finally said.

"Is that all she is to you?" Charlie asked waspishly. "Just your girlfriend?"

"No!" Harry replied angrily. "You guys can back off, alright. You might be worried for your little sister, but I'm not out to shag her and then leave her. She's too special to do that to."

"So if she was some other girl?" Bill asked advancing on Harry.

"No!" Harry answered angrily. Harry couldn't believe he was about to say what he was about to say. "You guys can back off. I think I love your sister and I think she loves me! Back off and let us figure it out!"

The five brothers stared at Harry stunned; they hadn't expected that. "Y-you l-love her?" Ron asked stuttering.

"I'm not sure, alright," Harry said running his fingers through his hair. "I don't really know what love is, well, besides friendship. So I'm kind of lost on this one."

Ron sat down hard on his bed; Bill joined him. The twins didn't even make it to a bed; they just sat down where they were standing. Charlie was the only one still up.

"What's so hard about that?" he asked incredulously. "You either love her or you don't."

Harry just stared at him blankly. It was obvious that this was the one Weasley that didn't know him. "That's the problem. I have nothing to base it on," he said quietly. "I didn't grow up in the most loved filled house. I only know about friendship because of Ron and Hermione."

"Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" Ron asked amazed.

"Let's see, there are several reasons," Harry said looking at Ron with surprise. "Maybe it was because we couldn't talk about Ginny without fighting. Maybe it was because you thought I had slept with her. Maybe it was because it was hard enough admitting to her that I had no idea what I felt for her that I didn't want to tell you. Or maybe it was because you're her brother and wouldn't think about it from a best friend's point of view."

"You told Ginny?" Fred asked stunned.

"I had to tell her the truth," Harry said shrugging. "And it wasn't all that hard, she's easy to talk to." Harry watched as the five brothers laughed.

"You'd be the only one to say that," George said from the floor.

"Ginny would as soon hex you as look at you," Fred laughed.

"Could it be because you guys tease her about being a girl and then suffocate her with your older brother protect-fullness," Harry told them seriously. "You've spent years teasing her for liking things girls like and then teasing her when she tries to be one of the guys. Then you hover around her like she's some porcelain doll."

"She's said that?" Bill asked from the bed across from Harry.

"Not in those word, but yes," Harry answered truthfully. "She loves you guys, but you won't let her be who she is. She's the kind of girl to get her boyfriend in trouble with her five older brothers and then run to her room and laugh. Or, she's probably eavesdropping right now. She's the kind of girl who wants someone to hold her right hand during a fight, but still let her use her wand in her left. She wants to play Quidditch with you guys and beat you at chess, but you won't let her or tease her when she wins. Just let her be."

"Merlin, she got lucky finding you, Harry," Charlie said from where he stood. "None of her other boyfriends stood up to one of us, let alone all of us. And you understand her better than we do."

"Just don't let her blow you up," Ron informed him sagely.

"Nah, she can blow me up," Harry said with a vicious smile.

"Why?" George asked him warily.

"'Cause when she's deflated me, she'll be so sorry that she'll make it up to me," he told them with a laugh. "She hates losing her temper, so she'll make it up to me just to apologize."

"I'm guessing I don't want to know how," Bill whispered.

"No, I'm thinking not," Harry replied with a smile. He got up shooed the twins quietly away from the door and opened it quickly. Ginny fell into his outstretched arms. "I'm alive," he told her.

"I can see that," she said with a smile. There were tears on her face.

"So that's why I didn't hear you run down the stairs," he said softly, wiping the tears off her face.

"You didn't know I was out there!" she informed him forcefully. He smiled at her and hugged her.

"Oh yes I did," he whispered in her hair. "You'd never miss a chance of hearing your brothers get yelled at. And I heard you laugh when I said I wasn't out to shag you."

Her smile brightened her face and she leaned up and kissed both his cheeks. "You're a sweetheart, you know that?"

"No, I think I need to prove it," Harry replied glancing warily at her brothers. "But I don't need to piss them off, so let's go to your room to make out."

"Can't," Ginny replied quickly and with a huge smile.

"And why not?" Harry asked confused.

"Tonks and I are sharing it," she said, as if that explained everything. When the boys in the room gave her blank looks she rolled her eyes. "Tonks and Remus are using it at the moment. Which is why I came up here to check up on you."

"I did not need that visual," Fred commented dryly.

"It's almost as bad as watching some punk manhandle our sister," George said with a smile at Harry.

"Okay, this punk is going to borrow your room," Harry said evenly to George. "He feels like he needs to manhandle your sister, seeing as her loving brothers made her cry."

Harry grabbed her hand and led her down the stairs. "Oh no you don't Mr. Harry James Potter! Don't you dare use my room! Go into the living room, we'll stand guard."

"Isn't that sweet of your brothers," Harry whispered to her. "I was only teasing them. I was planning to ask your mum if supper was ready yet."

Ginny smiled at him and laughed. She bounded ahead of him and dragged him into the kitchen. "Hey, mum," she said letting go of Harry's hand and hugging her mum.

"Hi, Ginny, Harry. Can I help you?" she asked, brushing flour off her hands.

"We were wondering when supper is?" Ginny asked brightly.

"Soon," she answered. "Why don't you set the table?"

"Okay, mum." She ran forward and grabbed some plates. She nearly ran from the room into the dining room.

"What's gotten into her?" Mrs. Weasley asked Harry.

"Would me yelling at her brothers and winning a fight without resorting to magic make her giddy?" Harry asked, grabbing a handful of cutlery.

"Yes, I suppose that would," she replied with a smile on her face. "I was wondering where everyone had gone. You survived that, did you?"

"Yes and I think I won," he said heading out of the kitchen and into the dining room. He and Ginny flirted with one another as they set the table.

Hearing them laugh brought a smile to Molly's face. Arthur came inside from the garden. "What has you so happy?" he asked his wife, surprised. She held her finger to her mouth and motioned to the dining room. He heard the voice of his youngest daughter teasing Harry about something. He smiled as he heard Harry respond in like. "Reminds me of this couple I once knew," he said walking over to hug his wife of thirty years. "Happy Anniversary."

She smiled at her husband and replied, "I was wondering if you had forgotten." She laughed as he hugged her.

"Ew, disgusting," Fred said walking in. "First it's Harry and Ginny."

"Then it's Tonks and Remus," George complained.

"Then it was Harry and Ginny, again," Fred continued.

"Then Tonks and Remus, as we were walking down the stairs," George said with a shudder.

"Now it's you two," Fred motioned to his parents.

"Yeah, well," Ron said from the dining room entrance, "don't go into the dining room. It's Harry and Ginny again."

The brothers exchanged a huge grin and went running and screaming into the room. Harry and Ginny jumped apart, Harry pulling out his wand by instinct. He was tempted to curse the smiles off their faces, but put it away. He smiled at them and pulled Ginny into another kiss. He got five loud groans of disgust from them and then he pulled away. Ginny glared at him, putting her hands on her hips.

"Oh, sure, just use me to get back at my brothers." Ginny said angrily. The effect was ruined as her voice broke. All six of the boys laughed.

"Nah," Harry replied. "I was just finishing up what they had so rudely interrupted. That was your idea after all." Ginny blushed and Harry squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Not that I minded all that much."

"Would one of you go get Remus and Tonks?" Mrs. Weasley asked from the entrance.

"Nope."

"No way!"

"Not it!"

"I ain't getting them."

"Not for all the galleons in the world."

"Harry will," Ginny said with her sweetest voice.

"Thank you, Harry." Harry glared at Ginny when Mrs. Weasley had turned her back. All Ginny did was stick her tongue out at him. He grabbed it with his fingers before she pulled it out of harm's way.

"Don't stick this out at me again," he whispered to her. "I wouldn't want to cut it off." All her brothers were laughing and Harry knew that they had accepted him, not just as a brother but also as Ginny's boyfriend. He let go of it and turned to leave. "Put that tongue back in your mouth, Gin."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After dinner that night everyone went to sit in the living room. Ron proceeded to play chess with his dad. Bill and Charlie were discussing dragons in Romania. Fred, George, Remus, and Tonks were laughing quietly in a corner. Harry was sitting next to Ginny as she talked to her mother.

Harry had never felt such a part of a family before. Sure, he had thought of these people as his family for years now, but he had never been so included before. He was teased as much as any of the others and gave it as good as he got. The brothers weren't all that comfortable with the couple, but they didn't stare at them disapprovingly. Harry felt Ginny snuggle in closer and he looked down at her.

Maybe he was really in love with her. Could he have possibly fallen for her completely? How could he tell though? He watched Remus and Tonks out the corner of his eye. They teased each other and Tonks kept changing her appearance to make him laugh. Harry would do anything to hear Ginny laugh, but he liked the way she yelled too.

Mrs. Weasley left to finish the dishes. Harry looked down at Ginny. She was almost asleep, but was watching her dad beat Ron at chess. Mr. Weasley got up and followed his wife into the kitchen. Harry glanced at his wonderful girlfriend. Ginny looked too peaceful to be allowed. He tickled her side ever so slightly and smiled at the glare she gave him

"What?" he asked innocently.

"Don't do that!" she whispered angrily.

"Don't do what?"

"Tickle me," she said angrily.

"All right, if I must." He tickled her until she laughed continually. She squirmed away, but Harry held her with one of his arms. She was laughing so hard that she was having a hard time breathing.

"Stop it, Harry," she managed to get out.

"Okay," he said letting go. She launched herself at him. She had found out that he was just as ticklish as she was. She started to tickle him mercilessly. Harry let her; otherwise she'd pout. He laughed and pretended to make her stop. Finally, he said firmly, "Stop, Gin."

"'Kay" she said, stopping. They looked around at the room in general. Everyone was laughing at them. "What?" Ginny asked them loudly.

"Nothing," Fred said wiping tears of laughter form his eyes.

"What?" Harry asked even louder.

"Later, Harry," Ron said cracking up again.

"If you don't tell me, Bill," Ginny said pointing her wand at her nearest brother, "I'm going to hex you."

Bill eyed her wand wearily. "Fine," he said. "Put the wand away first." Ginny put it down and Bill continued to watch it. "Remus had just predicted that Harry would tickle you, then he did. He said your whole conversation with you. Then he told us that Harry would let Ginny tickle him in return."

"By the way," Remus said lightly. "If Harry's as ticklish as James was, he should be ticklish on his knees too. And don't ever give him a foot message. Sirius had tried once, trying to get James to blush," Remus rolled his eyes. "He got his face kicked and he spent a week in the hospital wing, trying to live it down."

Harry groaned. He was hoping that Ginny wouldn't learn about how ticklish his knees were.

"Aren't you glad you asked?" Fred asked brightly.

"Yeah," Harry mumbled. Ginny laughed at him and ran her fingers across his knee in as an experiment. "I wouldn't do that if I were you, Gin."

"And why not?" she replied as she did it again.

"This is why," he said grabbing her around the waist and tickling her. He wouldn't let her go and he was too strong for her to break away from him. She was laughing so hard and loudly, that no one heard the knock on the door. Harry let go of her when she let her feet fall from under her and her shirt hadn't gone with the rest of her.

She stood up triumphantly, pulling her shirt back down, and laughed at Harry's blushing face. She opened her mouth to say something, when they heard the knock at the door. Instead of yelling at Harry, she said, "I'll get it."

Bill followed her out to the front door, his hand on his wand. Harry walked past him and stood behind her protectively, his hand also on his wand. Ginny opened the door and caught the girl leaning against it. "Sephra!" Ginny exclaimed in surprise. Harry helped her carry the bruised and battered girl into the living room. Remus took one look at her and left the room. Harry heard him floo to Hogwarts. Mrs. Weasley shooed the boys out and started cleaning her up.

They went into the kitchen and sat around the table. "If Malfoy did that to her," Ron said growling.

"Who is she?" Bill asked confused.

"Sephra Carrigan," Harry saw the look of recognition on his face, but continued for Charlie. "She's Lucius Malfoy's niece. Voldemort killed her parents over the summer and she had to move into Malfoy Manor."

"But isn't Lucius in Azkaban?" Charlie asked.

"Yeah, but his rotten-no-good-wants-to-be-a-Death-Eater-of-a-son isn't," Ron replied acidly.

"As you can see, there is no love loss between the two," Fred informed Bill and Charlie.

"Yeah, he had his Quidditch team try to kill mine," Harry replied coldly. "So he deserves everything he gets."

The fire burned green and Madame Pomfrey stepped into the room. "Where is the girl?" she asked curtly. Harry got up and showed her into the living room. He left quickly, because Mrs. Weasley had peeled away the tatters that were her shirt.

"Is she alright?" Ron asked worriedly.

"One would think she's your girlfriend on the side," George commented dryly. Ron took a swing at him, but George easily dodged it.

"That's enough, boys," Mr. Weasley said tiredly from his chair.

"Sephra's a friend," Harry told everyone. "She was made Slytherin Quidditch captain after Malfoy lost it."

"So there's a Slytherin in my living room," Fred said disgustedly.

"And if you have a problem with it," Ron said threateningly, "you can leave." Harry smiled at him. Who would have thought that Ron would defend a Slytherin? Fred stayed where he was.

The time passed slowly. Sometimes Ginny would come in with bloody water and exchange it for clean, warm water. She wouldn't speak, but just concentrated on getting the water back quickly. Harry hoped Sephra would be all right. He didn't want to put her picture up on the Wall once school started.

Madame Pomfrey finally came into the kitchen, but she wouldn't answer any questions. Everyone could tell that she was worried. Harry hoped that that was just her normal pessimistic streak and that Sephra was just fine. She left by floo only to return fifteen minutes later with a basketful of potions and salves.

"Carry these," she said to Harry, shoving the basket into his arms. Harry followed her into the room and was relieved to see that they had put a shirt on her. "You can go now," she said sharply and Harry left with one worried glance at Ginny.

"She's alive," Harry said to Ron's unasked question. "She doesn't look so good."

An hour later, Madame Pomfrey left for the night, promising to return in the morning to check up on her. They had moved her up to Ginny and Tonks' room and she was sleeping soundly on the bed that had been conjured there.

"How is she?" Harry whispered into Ginny's hair later.

"She'll live," Ginny replied. "I couldn't believe how many cuts she had. She was so bruised." Ginny turned her head into his chest and started to cry. Harry held her, trying to comfort her. He saw the quick look of jealousy on Ron's face before it disappeared. He remembered his talk with Remus and knew that he and Ron needed to have a heart to heart talk about Ginny and his relationship.

When she had finished crying, Harry led her up to her room and kissed her gently goodnight at her door. Harry hoped that Sephra would get better soon; even soon enough to go to Hogsmeade with them tomorrow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Morning, sleepyheads," Ginny said from the door. She walked over and opened the curtains. Morning light filtered into the room, causing Ron and Harry to groan. "Breakfast is ready and the portkey to Hogsmeade leaves in an hour." She shut the door and Harry listened to her jump down the stairs.

"I'm guessing that Sephra's gonna live," Harry said getting up stiffly.

"I'd guess so too," Ron said yawning. They got dressed and headed down for breakfast. They were the last up and Harry saw Sephra sitting stiffly at the kitchen table. Harry walked around the table and took the empty spot next to Ginny. He leaned forward and greeted Sephra on the other side. She smiled at him and went back to her breakfast.

The time right before they left was a study in controlled chaos. Everyone had forgotten something and needed to run and get it. It caused for many slight accidents on the stairs. One time, as Harry was rushing down the stairs without looking, he ran into Sephra. He saw her wince more than need be for the minor run in. Harry guessed she was still sore and bruised.

They arrived at the stile where Harry had met Padfoot fourth year. He frowned slightly and only Ron understood why.

"I still can't believe he ate rats for you, mate," Ron said punching Harry's shoulder. Harry forced a smile, but everyone could tell that it was forced. It was decided that the four oldest Weasley boys, Shacklebolt, and Moody would escort Ginny and Harry.

"So we'll meet back at the Three Broomsticks at eleven," Thia said checking her watch, "and the young ones can spend the afternoon together." Ron and Ginny scowled at her, but Harry just laughed. He was used to Thia's teasing. She just wanted a rise from them.

They shopped for an hour finding little or nothing. Harry was tempted to buy Hermione the book When Studying Is Bad For You by Floha Ignavious. Ginny convinced him not to and he hadn't seen anything else for her. He bought Thia's gift in Zonko's, much to the chagrin of the Weasley twins. Harry apologized, but they didn't care.

"Seriously, Harry," Fred informed him. "You're a major share holder in the company."

"By buying Zonko's stuff," George told him, "you'll put us out of business."

"Oh, well," Harry said shrugging. The twins tried to attack him, but Shacklebolt and Bill stopped them.

"Okay," Shacklebolt scolded them quietly. "If you guys can't behave yourselves, go."

"Yeah," Harry said with a smile. "You mustn't attack the person you're guarding from outside attacks." The twins redoubled their efforts to get at Harry, but Ginny pulled out her wand and toyed with it. Harry loved the effect this had on her brothers. Every last one of them, even Charlie who had only heard of Ginny's hexing ability, watched it wearily. The twins fell slack in their captors' arms and gave up.

Harry was just as lost at what to buy Ron as he was with Hermione. He could get him the obvious gift of Chudley stuff, but that was too easy. What was something he had always wanted?

They entered the last shop on the street and looked around. Harry had never been in this shop before. It reminded him of a muggle drug store. It had a little of everything, but nothing at all. The only difference was that this stuff was well made and expensive compared to the junk in a normal muggle drug store.

Harry and Ginny went down just about every aisle looking at the merchandise. Their guard pretended to look at stuff in nearby aisles or by the door. At the jewelry section Harry stopped. There was a best friend necklace in there that he liked. It was different than most best friend necklaces. It was made of three circles that interlocked when together or hung separately.

"What do think of that, Gin?" Harry asked his girlfriend who was looking at rings.

"It's nice, only Ron'll never where that chain." Harry had to agree, the chain was kind of girlie.

"What if I bought a chain like that?" he asked pointing at a thicker, darker chain.

"He'll wear that," Ginny said, still engrossed by the rings.

"Find something you liked?" the store employee asked Ginny.

"Yeah," Harry said taking the attention from Ginny. "Could I have that necklace and two of those chains?"

"You sure may, son," the witch replied and slid the objects in question out. She started to package the necklaces and chains. "It's not often you'll find guys willing to wear necklaces," she commented. Harry smiled and fingered the leather around his throat.

"Yeah," he replied, "but see, my girlfriend would kill me if I didn't wear it." Ginny hit him hard in the stomach and Harry doubled over. "See what I mean?" He smiled at her lovingly and grabbed her arm before she could attack. The witch smiled at them and finished with the boxes.

"Would you like this gift wrapped?" she asked. Harry shook his head no. "Well, is this it?"

"For now, but we're not done shopping," Harry told her, grabbing the boxes she handed him. When she left, Harry turned back to Ginny. "What are you looking at, Gin?"

She pointed to a ring near the back of the display. "Isn't that pretty?" Harry looked at it and was surprised to see that it was the same ring his dad had given his mum.

"Yeah," he said pulling her gently away. "I still need a gift for Remus and Tonks. It needs to be a gag gift though, like Thia's."

"Why?" Ginny asked looking around at the stuffed animals.

"Because that's what they deserve," Harry said glancing around for her brothers. "I want to get Bill and Charlie something. 'Cause they're letting me date you."

Ginny laughed and pulled down a stuffed Hungarian Horntail. It was a realistic looking dragon and Harry smiled. "Charlie collects anything dragon. Even stuffed animals like this. Say you're buying it for me and I'll carry it around all day to make him believe it. As for Bill? I'm not sure."

They walked down the aisle of books and Harry glanced at the titles. How to Charm Your Crush. Which Hex Should You Use on Your Ex. Magic for Children Care. Marriage for Dummies. This last one was a muggle book.

"What's that doing here?" Harry asked Ginny pointing at the book.

"I don't know, but it'd make a good gift for Tonks and Remus." Harry laughed and grabbed it off the shelf. "Who do you have left?"

"Bill, your mum and dad," he said thinking about everyone he wanted to buy gifts.

After ten more minutes of looking they were done. They hadn't found anything for Bill or the Weasley parents. Harry was at a loss as to what to get them all. They went to the Quidditch supply shop and looked around. There was a book about British Quidditch teams and their histories. Ginny pointed to it and told him, "Bill's a huge Quidditch historian. He'd like that."

He nodded and grabbed it from the shelf. They winded their way through the store heading for the check out counter. They passed a rack of snitches and Harry looked at them longingly. "I've always wanted my own snitch."

"Well, maybe you'll get it for Christmas," Ginny told him. He laughed at her and paid for the book.

"What about your mum and dad?" Harry asked her quietly. Ginny just shrugged.

"We usually make them something," she told him.

"One year we made her a megaphone," Fred told him.

"Mum didn't like that though," George said shaking his head. "We thought we were being thoughtful.

"Yeah, she wouldn't need to raise her voice at us," Fred said with a laugh. "It was saving her voice."

"She might have liked it better," Charlie said with a laugh, "if it hadn't changed her voice to a squeak and her lecture to an ode to your nose hairs." Everyone laughed, the Weasleys at the good memory and the others at the thought of Mrs. Weasley singing a song about Fred's nose hairs in a squeaky voice.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Fred said with a shrug.

"What else have you guys made?" Harry asked curiously.

"I've sent mum some stuff I find in the pyramids," Bill said thoughtfully. "Things that Egyptian queens used to wear. I'd come up with some story to go along with it, loosely based on truth."

"I make mum a photo album each year," Charlie said, "detailing my year away from her. Pictures of the dragons, co-workers, co-workers being chased by dragons, any girlfriends, and other pictures. She says it makes her feel as if she was with me the whole year."

"We..." Fred started, but Ginny cut him off.

"You don't need their advice," she told him with a laugh. "It usually results in mum shouting at them."

"It's her favorite pastime," George said with a laugh. "We give her the golden opportunity to yell." Harry rolled his eyes.

"What do you get your dad?" Harry asked. The Weasleys thought for a moment.

"Nothing," Bill finally said. "If mum's happy, then he's happy. He's even happy when the twins are getting yelled at."

"Like George said," Fred said, shaking his head, "it's her favorite pastime."

Harry laughed and they headed back to the Three Broomsticks. Harry could shop for the two Weasleys with Ron and whoever was going to come with them might have an idea or two. Harry grabbed Ginny's hand and led her into the busy pub. Out the corner of his eye he saw Charlie give the dragon a look of longing.

They walked over to the table filled with the others from their group. Charlie had taken all of their purchases home for Harry and would arrive back soon. They sat talking about nothing in particular waiting for Bill to arrive back.

Ron asked Sephra how she got hurt. She shrugged.

"You don't know how you got hurt like that?" Ron asked surprised.

"I can't tell," she mumbled.

"Why not?" Thia asked concerned. Just at that moment Harry felt a bone chilling cold.

"I'll be right back," he whispered to Ginny. She nodded and turned her attention back to the conversation.


Author notes: So....... Any guesses on what Harry's getting Ginny? There are a few hints. What about the reason Harry got so cold?

I hope you're all glad I resolved the big brother issue... It was a starting impression that was quickly fixed. And don't anyone complain about the brothers not wanting to see them snog... What older sibling wants to see their younger siblings snoging? For future reference, I believe the wizarding world to be a bit more oldfashion in many ways. On the whole, sex before marriage isn't approved by older generations... sorry if that bothers anyone, but that's the way it is in this story.

How about Remus and Tonks... slightly disturbing?? I should say so. And what were they talking to the twins about? Any guesses on that?