Harry Potter and the War of Souls

Chapter 2

Welcome to the Weasleys

The Weasleys had invited him, but he'd never given them a definite answer and certainly hadn't told them he was going to be literally popping in during the middle of the night.

Ginny would be here. And whether that made it harder or easier to come, he wasn't sure. But he couldn't avoid her forever and didn't even want to. Maybe in time, she'd understand that he was right in what he'd said when he ended things. Loving her meant detaching herself from her.

He gently tried the front door. It didn't even have a lock on it, and he didn't reckon the Weasleys would have considered a lock a decent protection anyway. But as he gripped the door handle, he heard it whisper, "Friend," and the door opened.

Things were subdued in the home, but as Harry had learned years ago, the Weasley home was never quiet. Bread dough appeared to be kneading itself on the counter, a women's formal blue dress was being magically sewn in the corner, and there was the ever-present ticking of the family clock. This time, Harry studied it even closer and smiled. A hand with his face and name had been added to the clock between Ron and Ginny's. It moved to show he was now home. Home with the Weasleys.

Fearful of waking everyone, he drew his traveling cloak around him and sat in one of the more comfortable chairs in the room. Hopefully when they found him in the morning, they would understand.

-----------------------------------------------------

"Bless my soul, Molly we have company."

Arthur's voice startled Harry awake and he flew to his feet. He'd been dreaming about something - something important - and had momentarily forgotten where he was.

"I'm sorry I came unannounced like that-" Harry began but Molly cut him off.

"You don't need to be announced, Harry dear. You're always welcome here." She turned and looked at him. "But you look hungry and I've no doubt you are, so go wash up. Everyone will be down soon."

Fleur was the first to arrive, looking as flawless as ever. She noticed Harry immediately and smiled at him as though she wasn't the last bit surprised to see him. "'ello 'arry. You are come for the wedding? I am so glad."

"How's Bill doing?" The last Harry had seen of him, he was still suffering the effects of a werewolf bite."

"Remus Lupin 'as been most kind to us. With his 'elp, Bill has made excellent progress."

Sure enough, when Bill arrived downstairs, he still bore some deep scars on his face, and there was facial hair that looked like very long, thick sideburns. But he smiled at Harry and kissed Fleur before sitting for breakfast.

Ron was the next downstairs. He saw Harry, then gave a yelp and clapped him on his shoulder. "When did you get here?"

"Not long after midnight."

"That's timing for you." Ron sat and helped himself to three of his mother's rolls (earning himself a scolding, but complimented look from his mother).

"The timing's no mystery," a voice said from the stairway. "He's seventeen now. Happy birthday, Harry."

Harry looked up and saw Ginny staring down at him. Her red hair was loose around her shoulders, his favorite way for her to wear it. She was prettier than he remembered and he fought the impulse to run up to her and kiss her right there.

"Thanks," he said awkwardly.

"Your birthday! Of course." Mrs. Weasley put a hand on her mouth. "What with the wedding plans and all, it's just been so busy."

"It's okay," Harry said. "You didn't need to remember."

"We'll have a party tonight," she announced. "Everyone else will be here by then anyway, so it's perfect."

Harry nodded, but his focus remained on Ginny. She met his gaze then her eyes flashed with a brief hint of contempt as she reached for some eggs.

"It's not you, it's me," he wanted to say. "It's what I have to do now, what I could become before my task is over."

But he couldn't say that, and suddenly, despite the excellent breakfast, he couldn't eat another bite.