"Are you sure this is going to be okay?" Harry asked again, for what felt like the thousandth time.
Ginny leaned her head on his shoulder while still holding his hand. The usual thrill of her smaller hand warm in his was muted by his nervousness.
It had been her idea to spend Christmas at the Burrow with her parents - she had told her mother that Harry had never experienced a family Christmas and Molly Weasley had been enthusiastic about Harry coming to the Burrow over the Christmas holidays.
"It's okay… Mum will be ecstatic and Dad will accept anything that makes me happy," she answered, a little exasperated.
Ginny had convinced him it was best to tell her parents in person that they were now dating.
"It's better than sending a letter or keeping it a secret. I don't trust my brothers not to babble the first chance they get," she continued.
He still had a hard time believing that Ginny Weasley, the most beautiful and amazing girl in the world, was his girlfriend. That they were dating for real… And now he would announce this to her parents? Whatever that meant…
Thankfully all her brothers were staying in Hogwarts - Percy to study for his N.E.W.T.s, Ron because he was still sour about Harry now dating his sister and the twins to work on their pranks without their mother's intervention. Apparently Bill Weasley would be there though, visiting from Egypt.
The train slowed and a voice announced that they were nearing King's Cross Station.
As they stepped off the train, Harry immediately spotted Molly and Arthur Weasley, standing beside a young man who had to be Bill Weasley. He was, according to Ginny, her favourite brother.
Bill was - there was no other word for it - cool. Tall, with long hair tied in a ponytail and an earring with a fang hanging from it.
"Bill!" Ginny squealed beside him, as he saw her run to the older Weasley brother and throw herself into his hug, leaving Harry alone with their luggage.
An exasperated Molly Weasley came over to Harry and gave him a tight, motherly hug before he could prepare himself. Harry froze for a moment before awkwardly hugging her back.
"Ignore her, Harry," she said while still hugging him. "She always gets like this with Bill - he pampers her way too much… I'm glad that you can spend Christmas with us," she added as she let go of him. She then shrank their luggage and levitated it into her bag with a swish of her wand, like an afterthought.
"Harry! Meet Bill, my favourite and only cool brother!" Ginny exclaimed, pulling Bill by the hand to Harry.
Bill scrutinised Harry with an unreadable look but then grinned, extending his other hand to Harry for a handshake.
"So you are the famous Harry Potter, it's nice to meet you," he greeted Harry as they shook hands.
Harry greeted Bill awkwardly back and exchanged a nod with Arthur Weasley. He felt a bit exposed in this family scene - like he was intruding into someone else's family.
Afterwards Molly Weasley ushered them to the Floo to get to the Burrow.
Harry brought his trunk to Ron's room where he would be staying for the holidays.
When he came down, he saw Ginny happily telling her mother about Hogwarts while helping her cook. Huh, Ginny could cook?
Harry, meanwhile, was called by Arthur to the dinner table where he was questioned about all sorts of Muggle things, from rubber ducks to how telephones work.
This was… nice. Harry wished he had a family like this. Was this what having a father was like?
He glanced at Ginny, still helping her mother cook. It was nice to see Ginny relaxed. Recently she always checked her food and drinks at Hogwarts before eating, with some silent spells Harry didn't recognize. She tried not to show it, yet the Love Potion incident with Dean had affected her deeply.
Later Bill came down when the food was finished, but Ginny cleared her throat before they could begin eating.
"Mom, Dad. I have something to tell you," she began, like she was starting an official proclamation.
Harry froze and looked at Ginny. Now? Really?
"Oh, are you finally going to tell us that you two are dating now?" Mrs Weasley asked with a small mischievous smile.
"Mom!" Ginny complained with a pout. "How did you guess that?"
"Oh dear, your letter said that you had something important to tell us and that you would bring Harry over… It wasn't that hard to guess."
Ginny pouted even more.
"Well… I'm also pregnant!"
Mr Weasley, who was just taking a sip from his drink, suddenly began coughing while Bill looked at Ginny unimpressed. Meanwhile Harry nearly had a heart attack and looked at Mrs Weasley in panic, hoping she realised it was a joke.
"Au!"
A Stinging Hex from Mrs Weasley had hit Ginny.
"Don't joke about that. I'm too young for grandchildren!" she admonished Ginny. "At least from you… Bill, when will you bring a young lady over?"
Bill sighed with a shake of his head while mumbling, "This again," and began eating.
Well, that went well… right?
"Dad! Shouldn't you forbid Harry from dating me? I thought fathers always did stuff like this?" Ginny continued. For once Harry wished Ginny would just stop talking.
"Harry is a good boy," he surprisingly endorsed him - Harry hadn't expected that. "Why? Do you want me to?" Mr Weasley added amused.
"It would make dating Harry more fun?" Ginny half-seriously answered, tilting her head as if she was unsure herself. Harry wanted to crawl under the table and hide. This was so embarrassing.
Mr Weasley just rolled his eyes and began eating too.
Harry did the same and the rest of the meal passed quite nicely.
After dinner Ginny tugged him out of the living room, while Mrs Weasley cleared the table, and led him to her room on the first floor.
It was small, but bright. A large poster of the Weird Sisters covered one wall, reminding Harry of their summer date. Had that actually been a date? A desk stood facing the closed window, which looked out over the snow-covered orchard.
Harry became very aware that he was alone with his girlfriend in her room. He looked at her bed and gulped, trying very hard not to think of anything inappropriate.
Ginny was far more nonchalant and sat on her bed and Harry reluctantly followed when she gestured for him to join her.
"So… I think that went well, don't you, Harry?" she said with a grin.
"Yeah…" he sighed. "I just wish you hadn't said it like that."
Her grin slowly faded as Ginny looked at him, then she leaned her head on his shoulder and laced her fingers with his.
"Sorry, Harry… I just feel more carefree and safer at home, you know," she said, closing her eyes.
Now Harry felt guilty. He was reminded again of the Love Potion incident…
"Ginny, can I ask you something?" he began gently, preparing himself to ask a question he feared the answer to.
Ginny hummed in response, her eyes still closed.
"Did I… take advantage of you?" he asked the question that had been on his mind ever since they got together. Would Ginny have accepted him as her boyfriend under any other circumstances? She had been through something traumatic and he had effectively just used the chance…
Bill and Mr Weasley were probably thinking along those lines about him, right? Ron certainly did.
Ginny's eyes opened and she studied him without a word.
"I mean…" he continued, scratching his cheek, "Madam Pomfrey told me that the Love Potion Antidote might influence your emotions and after what happened with Dean…"
Saying it out loud made him feel even more like a scumbag, but Ginny just snorted.
"I'm a big girl, Harry," she said. "If I didn't want to date you then I wouldn't have said yes."
Harry relaxed a little. Part of him had feared she would believe he had used her and end things.
"And if you still feel guilty," she whispered as he felt her breath on his face, their lips only inches apart. "Then make me fall in love with you, Potter."
Harry gulped.
"I…"
The door suddenly flew open before he could answer and Mrs Weasley entered.
"I told you to leave your door open when you two are alone," she said, then stopped when she noticed how close they were.
She gave Ginny a flat look and promptly dragged Harry out.
The remaining days up to Christmas passed peacefully afterwards, despite that embarrassing scene. He spent most of his time with his new girlfriend, which was awesome, just talking, walking in the snow or visiting the Muggle village nearby.
"Joy to the world, the magic's come,
But mind the enchanted snowmen - they bite your thumb!"
Ginny had somehow convinced a reluctant Bill to sing a silly Christmas song with her, though she was far more enthusiastic than he was. Mrs Weasley was working in the kitchen for their Christmas feast, while Mr Weasley was taking apart some electronic device on the dinner table.
Harry, meanwhile, slouched in the nearby armchair, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the cosy room. The Christmas tree wasn't as big and spectacular as the trees at Hogwarts and the fireplace was smaller than the one in the Gryffindor Common Room, but it still felt so much more… homely.
"Let every wand spark with yuletide light,
As charmed carols echo through the night!"
With a pang, Harry realized how much he wished that this really was his family. Would he have a similar home if Sirius Black hadn't been arrested?
He closed his eyes. For a moment he imagined a fatherly Sirius Black wishing him happy Christmas… his wife decorating the table and their child calling him big brother to get his attention.
Harry silently walked out of the front door and looked at the silent snowy landscape - nobody paid him much attention.
His breath was visible in the cold winter air.
He wished so much to have what Ginny had…
"Harry?" he heard behind him and turned to see his worried girlfriend.
"Ah… I just needed some fresh air. You don't need to look so worried."
"I understand how you feel," Ginny whispered with sympathy. "Suddenly seeing a normal family Christmas must be hard for you…"
Harry doubted it. How could Ginny understand how he felt? She had always had a large loving family. She had never been an orphan, all alone.
For a moment he felt irritated, but quickly looked away from her understanding gaze.
'It isn't Ginny's fault,' he reminded himself. 'It was Dumbledore and Crouch who threw Sirius Black into Azkaban. It was Pettigrew who betrayed my parents. It was Voldemort who killed them.'
"You don't understand, Ginny," he said, trying to sound calm. "I never had a family like you and I will never have one. How could you possibly know how this feels?"
She squeezed his hand.
"Well, you will always be an honourable Weasley and you still have me," she said with a smile. "Also, never say never. If you don't have a family then you have to create one for yourself."
He paused, trying to work out what she meant. Then his face heated up. What exactly was she implying?
But Ginny changed the subject before he could even begin to formulate a reply.
"Let's go back inside, you also have to sing Christmas songs with me!" she declared while pulling him back inside.
Later they all sat down for a wonderful family dinner with Ginny's parents and Bill. Ginny seemed so relaxed… She had once told him she was nervous about seeing Thomas again after the Christmas holidays and that escaping Hogwarts was another reason to spend the holidays at home, not just to tell her parents they were dating.
Silently, Harry made a decision.
He would protect her, no matter what.
So Harry didn't go to sleep when he went back to Ron's room. Instead he waited until nightfall and quietly left the Burrow beneath his Invisibility Cloak.
When he was far enough away, he raised his wand and mumbled, "Knight Bus."
The bus ride to London was as bumpy and rough as it had been last summer.
Dean… no, Thomas had once mentioned that he lived in London, so Harry hoped he could find him quickly. Fortunately, this hadn't been impulse. He had thought this through.
As he exited the Knight Bus, Hedwig flew down with a hoot and sat on his shoulder. At the Burrow, Harry had asked Hedwig to wait for him at the Leaky Cauldron so that she could help him find Thomas's house. London was big, but with Hedwig, his Firebolt and his Invisibility Cloak, it should be possible before the Weasleys wondered where he had gone.
He quickly stepped into a dark alley near the Leaky Cauldron - the Muggles nearby paid him no heed because of his choker. Then he somehow managed to wrap the Invisibility Cloak around him and his broom and asked Hedwig to fly to Dean Thomas's address.
Flying over London at night was beautiful - all those lights glittering below. He even saw Big Ben and the Thames.
More and more family homes appeared below him as he flew farther away from the city centre, always following Hedwig.
When he arrived at the Thomases' house, another problem presented itself: How was he supposed to get inside? He couldn't use magic without being detected.
But he was lucky.
A window upstairs was slightly open, so he managed to fly in. It was Thomas's room.
His suspended roommate was sleeping peacefully. He probably kept the window open despite it being winter so that owls could reach him… maybe hoping he would get news about his suspension from Hogwarts.
Harry - standing in the dark room with the sleeping boy - suddenly hesitated.
Should he really go through with this? He knew it was wrong and that he would be in a lot of trouble if he was caught. And did Thomas really deserve to be expelled from Hogwarts?
But then he thought of Ginny… Ginny being wary of everything she drank at Hogwarts. How Ginny would feel seeing Thomas again in the Gryffindor Tower after what he did to her. How tight she had hugged Harry after he had saved her from him.
As if echoing his thoughts, Thomas shifted in his sleep and whispered, "Ginny."
How dare he! He wasn't worthy of even saying her name after what he did!
Thomas could go to another magical school. This was best for everybody.
Harry had made his decision.
He picked up Thomas's wand from the nightstand and began to cast. He whispered, "Wingardium Leviosa," and a lamp was levitated around the room. Then with a "Geminio," some Muggle money on Thomas's desk was duplicated - he should try to make it seem plausible.
Harry then cast several "Reparo" at shelves, books and clothes lying around in the room, for good measure.
Afterwards he put the wand back and waited in the ensuing silence. Did it work?
His heart was hammering against his ribs. What if they realized it was him instead of Thomas?
But at that precise moment, a screech owl swooped in through the window. It soared across the room, dropped the large parchment envelope it was carrying in its beak on the sleeping boy, turned gracefully and flew away.
Harry looked down at the letter lying on the bed.
'Dear Mr Thomas,
We have received intelligence that a Levitation Charm, a Doubling Charm and several Repairing Charms were used at your place of residence this evening at two minutes past eleven.
As you know, underage wizards are not permitted to perform spells outside school (Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875, Paragraph C).
We would also ask you to remember that any magical activity which risks notice by members of the non-magical community (Muggles) is a serious offence under Section 13 of the International Confederation of Warlocks' Statute of Secrecy.
The severity of this breach of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery has resulted in your expulsion from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as you were already on a temporary suspension pending formal review for a serious breach of potion safety regulations and student welfare protocols.
You may appeal this decision at your disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic at 9 a.m. on December 30th.
Enjoy your holidays!
Yours sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk
Improper Use of Magic Office
Ministry of Magic'
Thomas was just beginning to stir - he had always been a heavy sleeper - so Harry immediately took his broom, checked that his Invisibility Cloak was still in place and flew out of the window to take the Knight Bus back to the Burrow from the Leaky Cauldron.
He then sneaked back into the Burrow and quietly opened the door to his room.
"Where did you go?" Ginny asked the moment he stepped in - she had been sitting on his bed in her nightgown, waiting for him. There was no accusation or suspicion in her voice, just curiosity.
"Ehm… I was just taking a night stroll?" he said, wincing at how uncertain it sounded.
Ginny just smirked, stood up and gave him a brief hug.
"I told my parents that we were playing Exploding Snap to cover up for the noises of the Knight Bus," she whispered in his ear.
Harry froze. She had completely caught him in a lie.
She stepped back and looked seriously into his eyes - he already felt bad for lying to her, but it was better for Ginny if she didn't know what he had done tonight.
"I'm your girlfriend now," she reminded him gently. "It's okay if you keep some things to yourself. Just… don't lie to me."
"I'm sorry," he muttered, looking down - he was already failing at this, wasn't he?
"I'm not angry. I just want you to trust me enough to tell me everything…" she answered with a sigh. "Well, good night, Harry. Sleep well," she said softly before leaving him alone in the quiet room.
oOoOo
Ginny felt a soft, fluttering warmth in her stomach as she returned to her room. From Harry's surface thoughts she had learned that he had gone to London to get Thomas expelled.
Just for her. To protect her.
Her hand drifted to the beautiful phial hanging around her neck. The blood oath had nothing to do with this, of course. But thinking of the oath just made the strange feeling stronger.
She smiled to herself.
Harry didn't know yet that Muggle-born students expelled from Hogwarts were Obliviated of the magical world afterwards, their magic bound…
As a good girlfriend, she would have no trouble distracting him when he found out from the Daily Prophet next week.
Showing a little relief and feigning weakness should be enough to convince him he had done the right thing.
Maybe he deserved a reward for being such a good boy.
A faint smile remained on her lips as she drifted into sleep.