First reply!
Oooooooohhhhhhhh, how cute!! I loved it Connie!
It was really, really good! A little short... buuuuuttt.... oh well. I'm just teasing. It doesn't matter. The short ones are really good a lot of the time, this one included.
Great job!!
-Rachel

Oo good chapter I like

Hey everybody, thanks for stopping in for this next chapter. This chapter isn't very long, but next weeks will be pretty long. So, you had two weeks of short chapters, I reckon you can have some longs ones now. Next week is, Chapter 14 "The Reasoning"

narnia_potter; Hey Rachel, I'm glad you loved it even though it was short. In my rough draft the last chapter, this one, and the next one were all one chapter. When I finished writing the last of these three, I looked back to make sure I had a title and realized it was way too long. So, I picked places I felt would be able to stop where a new chapter and title would be fitting. Sometimes it just works out that way, so it makes sense. Thanks, Rachel, for reading and commenting.

Miss Evi3e <3; Hey Eviee, thank you for reading, and commenting. I'm glad you liked it, and I hope you will like this one also.


Chapter 13

A Fresh Start, A New Day


Around eight o’clock the following morning, Ron came dragging himself sleepily into the kitchen. “Morning Mum, breakfast smells awesome, I’m starved! Have you checked on Harry yet this morning?”

"I’m not your mum, thanks for the compliment, and if you’d turn around and look at who you’re talking to, you could check on me yourself.” Harry stood at the stove pulling biscuits from the oven. “Go wash up for breakfast and get everyone up, breakfast is ready. Hurry up Ron, don’t just stand there, it’s gonna get cold!” Harry laughed heartily. The kitchen started filling up quickly with everyone saying how wonderful and delicious it smelled.

Harry flipped his wand and the table set itself. He started transferring sausages, eggs, bacon, steak, ham, applesauce, fried potatoes, pancakes, and hot syrup to the table. He looked and then put his hand to his head. Then he snapped his finger and butter, and jams appeared on the table. He told George to grab the coffee, and juice for the table. He started talking and laughing saying it was great to be home, when he turned around and everyone was still standing there. Ron was still in the same spot as when he entered the kitchen and found Harry there, his mouth was still hanging open, and nobody else was moving either. The smile slowly left Harry’s face, as he looked back at them. Then he looked down at himself and back up to them and said, “I’m down to seeing only two of everything now, but I’m sure my clothes are on frontward, and my pants are zipped. What’s up?”

Ginny squealed and ran to him while she threw her arms around him she laughed and said, “I don‘t think any of us was expecting you to be changed!”

“You want me to put my jungle…” he started, but Ron cut in quickly.

“No! ... no, you’re fine with what you’re wearing. She meant you have changed from last night. You were really bad off mate.”

“Oh that.” He sighed with relief, and motioned for everyone to sit down. “Come on! Let’s eat I’m starved! I haven’t eaten anything since yesterday early morning when we left the US.” He looked around and smiled, it really isn’t that bad. I’m a pretty decent cook if I do say so myself. I had to be, ‘because I would have fired myself a long time ago if I wasn’t.” Everyone laughed and settled down to eating.

Molly looked at the pile of eggs on the plate as they were passed to her. “Ron? Did you get up early and gather the eggs? I’m sure I didn’t have even half this many in the refrigerator.”

Ron choked on his biscuit. “Mum are you feeling ok? I wouldn’t get up this early to gather eggs.”

“Er…” Harry put down his fork full of eggs. “I hope I didn’t overstep any boundaries, I gathered the eggs. Then I mucked out the hen house, fed and put fresh water in for them also.”

“Oh Harry Dear, you shouldn’t have! You’re in no condition to be doing anything at all!” Molly scolded, but her voice softened and she thanked him for his thoughtfulness.

He smiled a little nervously; he wasn’t sure if she was happy with him or not. Just then, the kitchen door opened and Bill ushered in Minerva, and Kingsley.

“Come in, come in! Sit down and join us for this wonderful breakfast Harry has surprised us all with,” Molly offered them. She was smiling and very proud. Harry began thinking that maybe she wasn‘t upset with him, but he would try to be extra careful just in case. He figured he needed to stay on her good side if she and Mr. Weasley were to give him permission to marry Ginny.

They thanked Molly and although they tried to decline the offer, they gave in to the temptation and sat down after all.

“You’re looking surprisingly better this morning Harry,” stated Minerva.

“Well, he certainly didn’t look bad last night. I rather liked his look,” said Ginny with a sly smile on her face.

“Shall we eat then?” asked Harry trying to hide his embarrassment. He passed food down to the three newcomers.

Once again, he picked up his fork to take the first bite of his breakfast. Hermione spoke to Harry and he reluctantly put down his fork again.

“Harry this food is amazing mate!” Ron interrupted, with his mouth mostly full, but couldn’t help himself. He did enjoy good food after all.”

Harry smiled at his friend. “Thanks Ron. What was you saying Hermione?” He looked to her and tried to get the food out of his mind.

“I was saying that you took care of the morning chores and got this breakfast. When did you get up? And how is it that you’re feeling so much better?”

“Oh, well… I woke up around two o’clock this morning, and drank some more water, and then I mixed up some potion and drank it. After that I went back to sleep until five o’clock, at which time I got up and did the chores. After I got them done, I made a report of last evening’s showdown with the badger. I wasn’t feeling like I could handle the stairs at that time. When I was done with the report, I managed the stairs and showered. I put on a clean head dressing and started breakfast. I would’ve been done an hour earlier, but I was tired, so I took it slow and easy.” He looked at Mrs. Weasley afraid she would scold him again, but she only smiled and shook her head. “Thank you Mrs. Weasley, for cleaning my clothes for me.”

“Of course Dear, think nothing of it.” She smiled so lovingly that he no longer feared her being upset with him.

Oooooohhhh, wonderful job, Connie! Harry is just adorable, he's so nice and caring towards the family. Making breakfast was really nice... but I have to get my scolding over with... Bad Harry, you should not have been doing so much so fast! There, I'm done. Great job!!! Can't wait to see the verdict on the wedding!

Perfectly fine. I understand how that goes. I have short chapters in my own story cuz I liked where they ended or if I posted more it would have been way long.

Great job again!!
-Rachel

Caught up at last...phew......good work Connie...PAMS!!!

Nice Update!

Hey everyone, thanks for reading and I hope you all are enjoying this ff. Next weeks chapter is, Chapter 15, "The Reasoning"

narnia_potter; Hey Rachel thanks for reading and commenting. Yeah, Harry did overdo it didn't he. In his defense; he wanted to get the morning routines done with because he had something important planned he wanted to do. Next post, next Friday.

Thanks again Rachel.

Harita; Hey Harita, thanks for your commitment to my ff. That was a lot of reading you had to get through. I hope it was worth it. Thanks Harita

VooDroo; Hey Droo, love the name for the holiday! Thanks for reading and commenting. It's good of you to lift the, how you have to post every... while NANO is going on. That's very thoughtful! Thanks again for dropping by here, I understand your work load, and marvel at how you handle it all.


Chapter 14

The Reasoning

Ron rolled his eyes and swallowed hard trying to get his mouth empty enough to talk. “Why so early Harry? You should’ve slept in. You wouldn’t catch me getting up that early.” He laughed at Harry’s nonplussed expression.

“I had things to do.”

“But five o‘clock?”

“Look Ron, I got up at that time every morning. I ate quickly, then made my rounds making sure everyone took their medicine, and had food. Then I got my shovel, pick, and ax and went to work on the mountain the rest of the day until it was too dark to work safely. At that time I went to my camp, cleaned up, ate a bite, then I did my schoolwork until I couldn‘t hold open my eyes. I went to bed and took out my… something I took to remind me of … home and I then I fell asleep. The next morning and every morning after that I repeated, the day’s agenda until the project was completed. Then I started on the next project and worked on it with the tools I had to complete that project. From morning until night, I worked to make these people a safe life.”

“Why did you have to use a shovel, pick, and ax Harry? You’re a wizard,” he laughed as though he thought Harry was a silly little boy. “You should have used your wand. Why would you pick a job that you can’t use your wand? In fact, Harry… you own a diamond mine! You don’t even need to work.”

Molly’s ire was rising as she glared at Percy. She was just about to blow up, when Harry spoke calmly.

“I wanted to marry Ginny. But, I didn’t know what it would require to give all of me to her. Four years ago, I left here on a mission unto myself. I didn’t know or understand about love and compassion. My life with the Dursleys was a world of hate. Then I learned about Voldemort killing my parents and loads of people. I hated him, his followers and all I knew was that I had to kill him. Hate completely consumed me. I even had hateful thoughts towards Professor Dumbledore. I didn’t understand why I had to be used, not to get to have love ... It wasn’t until just before I walked into the Forrest that I understood things. I knew I had love for you guys, for everyone. It had always been the plan for me to die. It had to be that way. After I came back… after the war was over, I felt confused and detached, empty even. I doubted my capacity for love and compassion. I didn’t know if what I felt was real love, or my wanting it so bad. I just knew that when I was with Ginny, my heart danced. There is more to love than kissing and cuddling, and I felt even different from how you feel when you kiss and cuddle. I was confused about it. I had never known of it until I met you guys, and even more so when I began to have feelings for Ginny. When Mrs. Weasley hugged me at different times, like during the Triwizard Tournament in the hospital wing… you know… after Cedric was murdered, I felt love then. I wanted so desperately to be a son in your family. Was this why I wanted to marry Ginny? You see why I was confused? I was introduced to love and I needed to understand it so I could apply it differently to different people. I traveled all over the world. Everywhere I went, I fell in love with the people I met and lived with, whole villages. I learned about compassion, when I seen how they were subjugated and their livelihood taken from them, because someone else wanted it. I fought for them because I learned to love and have compassion for them. Then one evening I spun my wand and it pointed me to a Mountain in Washington State, USA. I left Africa for the mountain. I heard stories of Zombies living on the mountain that this little town sat in the shadows of. I did what I had to do to find the Zombies.” He looked at Percy and told him directly, “These people were all alone with their grief and despair. When I found them and got their story, my heart ached for them. I knew I had to do everything possible, use every bit of strength in me to help them. I used the shovel, pick and ax, because those were available and was required to do the work I needed to do. I would have used my bare hands if I had to; I had to help them. It wasn’t a job that I received a salary. They had a mountaintop dropped on them and nobody knew they were there. I couldn‘t use my wand hardly at all because the people were Muggles. And although I own a diamond mine, I will not sit idle when people need my help.” He continued to watch Percy, and then made a request for the things he said last night and this morning not be disclosed to anyone outside the room in any way.

“Bill, you are the exception to this request. I don’t expect you to keep secrets from your wife, but please ask her not to tell anyone else.”

Bill was grateful to Harry for his allowance and thanked him. “I’m sure she will not speak of it to anyone.”

Harry looked back to Percy, “Percy, will you not speak of this to anyone else please, in any way of communication?”

“Yeah, of course Harry, whatever you want.”

Harry nodded his head in thanks. Then he picked up his fork and was about to take his first bite, although it wasn’t as appetizing cold, but he was hungry and would just eat it anyway.

Then Percy spoke up again. “Harry, so you did meet Zombies? Would you tell us about them?”

Harry looked about the table of people and saw that they all wanted to hear about them. “I will tell about the Zombies…” he stopped suddenly and there was a snap and flames shot out from under Percy’s chair. He jumped off and fell to the floor. There was a collective gasp heard around the table except from Harry who sat scowling at Percy who had gotten up and dusted off his clothes and sat down without a word, and without looking at Harry.

Harry spoke calmly but there was ice in his voice and fire in his eyes, and everyone there feared his wrath. “Percy… Just like the wand is an extension of the person using it, the Quick Quotes Quill is an extension of the user’s imagination. It seeks out and embellishes on the truth to make the writer sound better. I’ve asked you not to communicate what I said to anyone else, and you agreed knowing that the whole time you were collecting a record of everything I said. There is no need for you to have a copy of anything I say. I made records of everything I’ve done, including the killing of the badger last night.”

He held out his hand and a file appeared. Handing it over to Kingsley, he explained, “I’m seeing double, so I can’t guarantee how legible it is, but the memory is there also. I can tell about the Zombies later. We should get that body if you’re done eating.”

“NO!” Molly and Ginny said at the same time. Molly took over and said that Harry would not say another word about anything. “He needs to eat, and you all have been badgering answers from him this whole time, keeping him from his breakfast. Somewhere out there around a round rock, there is a grave of sorts. You all can go out and look for it. Harry will get his answer about if we will give our blessing to marry Ginny. Kingsley, will you go out and supervise the search? Ginny Dear, you will stay in here with us, and Minerva, of course you can remain in here as well.”

“No, I must get back to Hogwarts and work on a few things today. I will be interviewing a new staff member for Hogwarts today.” She started walking around the table to Harry. He started to stand but she told him to stay seated. “Thank you for breakfast, and I’m so glad you are looking so much better. Don’t overdo yourself because you are still recovering.” She smiled and bent her head to kiss the top of his head. “I love you dear, and I’m very proud of the young man you’ve become.”

Wonderful job, Connie!!! I don't really know what to say!
I guess the only thing I can say is.... It's just mean to make us wait til next week to hear if Harry can marry Ginny! (just teaing, the author--you--can do whatever you wish)
Great job!!
-Rachel

nice post Connie...when will Percy ever change? *shaking head*...he looks like new Rita Skeeter in the family...as if the Wizarding World can't live without one that already is living...

*catches up*

Phew I'm here, Made some time today to read.
Percy just annoys me, go away.
Brilliant chapters Connie
PAMS

Eviee.

Oooo New Chapter! Woot!

Finally caught up after a super long break from ss. Anyway, great job with the last few chapters!

Hey friends, thanks for dropping by and reading my ff. I'm very thankful for my readers. Here is a new chapter for you. It's a little longer than the last few, but not terribly long. I do hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Next weeks Chapter 16 "No More Mr. Nice Guy" Have a wonderful day.

narnia_potter; Hey Rachel, thank you for reading and commenting. I'm glad you liked it, and I hope this chapter is everything you was hoping it would be.

Harita; Hey Harita, I'm glad you brought this to mind; I have the feeling that a lot of people think that since Percy had a change of heart and mind at the very end of JK's story, that he is completely different. I don't think he is, because of the last chapter in her last book while at King's Cross, Harry hears Percy and walks away so he doesn't have to put up with him. I had the feeling that he wasn't too happy with him. So in my ff, I try to give reason as to why he has those feelings. But Percy isn't a bad guy, he's just very strong willed to make himself better at whatever cost as long as it's not bad. In his selfishness, he doesn't always see the harm in something because he thinks he is smarter and more able than the normal wizard. He does (sometimes) have redeeming qualities though. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Ladybug; Hey Eviee, I am still having trouble recognizing you, I guess you'll always be in my old head as Eviee<33. Thanks for reading and commenting. Yeah, Percy is Percy, annoying. I just had a big explanation on my reply to Harita ^ ; so you can read that if you want.

Droo; Hey Droo, always good to have you drop in. Oddly enough it almost wasn't. When I was getting ready to post the chapter last week I copied and pasted the wrong chapter. Thankfully I saw it was the wrong one when I previewed it before I posted it. So, I had to back out of that and went back to copy and past the correct one. Thanks Droo

ashfig; Hey Ashley, welcome back, I've been missing you here on SS! Thanks for catching up, and I'm glad you like this ff still.




Chapter 15

The Answer And the Question

Everyone was outside and Minerva left, so Molly and Arthur looked to Harry to have their talk. Arthur cleared his voice, and Harry swallowed as he gave a quick glance at Ginny. Then he looked into the eyes of the people who held his happiness in what they were about to tell him.

“Last night Ginny came in our bedroom and proceeded to tell us that she was ashamed of herself and the rest of us for how we all treated you. She said she loved you and that she was going to marry you even if we refused you our Blessing. She really chewed us out for not giving you our answer right then. We told her she was mistaken thinking that way. We told her that you wouldn’t ask her to marry you if we declined your request. She said if you wouldn’t ask her then she would ask you. But we told her that you would turn her down, because you wouldn’t dishonor us that way.”

Arthur looked at him and asked if they were right. He nodded his head sadly and softly said, “Yes Sir, you‘re right.”

Molly took over from there. “So then, she stomped her foot crying of the injustice of her rights being taken away. “It should be up to Harry and me whether we get married! We love each other and want to be married and be together for the rest of our lives!” She said to us.

“That’s my Ginny,” Harry thought.

“We finally put a charm on her to keep her from talking, and make her sit down,” added Arthur.

“Harry dear, the truth of the matter is we’ve always loved you. When we met you that day at Kings Crossing, you became a permanent resident of our hearts. Ginny always said she loved you, even when she was a tiny girl. Her mind was made up way back then, that she was going to marry you when she grew up. Of course, we thought it was just puppy love. But, Arthur and I always hoped that you would fall in love with our Ginny. We knew the type of person you were that you’d do nothing less than love and protect her. We gladly give you our blessing to take our Ginny as your wife. We would have told you last night, but we were afraid because of how badly your injuries were that you might think you dreamed the whole thing.”

Harry looked at them, his eyes got big, and he smiled sheepishly. “Yes? You said yes?”

He got up from his chair and started to kneel on one knee but caught his breath and dropped the rest of the way, grabbing just below his belly button. “Forgot about that,” he groaned. Then he took Ginny’s hand and reached in his pocket. He pulled out a few diamonds and put them in her hand.

“Gin, you are the love of my life. If you’re willing to be my wife, I won’t hit you only if you need it, and just only now and then to keep you in line.”

He laughed and said he was sorry. “I’m just so happy, I needed to laugh.” Then he got serious and reiterated, “Ginny, I do love you with all my heart, and I really do know that for a fact. Needing you to be a part of my life is what drove me to work every second of every waking hour ever since I left. I had to make it possible to one night be able to go to bed and know that I am a loving and compassionate man. Now, I am able to give my life to you, knowing that it is fit for you to have. Ginny, will you marry me?”

Ginny was smiling from ear to ear. How blessed she was to get to spend eternity with this man. She looked him in the eyes the whole time and realized in those beautiful emerald eyes that, his love was as strong as the fragile stem of a flower bending, but never breaking, in a severe summer storm, and no stronger place to keep the love in her heart safe.

She was so happy, only before she answered with what she wanted to shout from her lips, she said, “I will if you’ll wear your sexy Jungle Suit to the wedding.”

He looked at her with a sly smile and countered, “I will be happy to, if you let me make you a female suit to match. But, with these impure thoughts going on in our heads we wouldn’t be able to get married in the church.” He arched his eyebrows to see if she had a comeback for him. He was ready if she did, but he surely would love to get off his knees, so he rather hoped she would just answer him.

Her happiness was overwhelming her, and as much as she would have loved to return a witty answer, she didn’t want to put off another second of her answer that was screaming in her head.

“Yes, Harry, my love. I will marry you unconditionally.”

He stood and offered his hand, which she accepted. He gently pulled her to her feet. Pick out the diamond you want for your engagement ring, and the other two, give to your parents. He put his arms around her securely, and spoke her name softly and pulled him with his strength against him, and into his heart.

His breath on her neck was hot; his hard chest was rising and falling with each controlled breath. She could not move, nor did she want to. He pulled his head from her neck and stared into her eyes. He moved his right hand to the nape of her neck and guided her head to his lips, and pressed lightly. He pulled away again and spoke her name still another time ever so softly. He pulled her to his lips again with passion. His lips were powerful hot and could’ve welded them together for all time, but he pulled away. He released her gently and smiled with a devilish grin, and then stepping away from her said awkwardly, “I better stop before the animal in me…”

“Yes, you better sit down and feed that animal. I hear it growling loudly.” She pulled out his chair and touched his plate, and cup saying a spell that heated up his very cold breakfast.

He sat down gratefully and said he was a bit hungry. Then he practically inhaled his food. “We’ve got lots to do,” he said after he swallowed his third bite. He glanced at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and burst out laughing; and Ginny joined in his fun. They forgot that her parents were in the room with them. Their faces were red, and their mouths were slightly ajar. Harry thought it best not to talk about it so he finished his breakfast with light table conversation.

He didn’t mind conversation while he ate. He just didn’t think it would have been appropriate to talk while he ate earlier because he was the one who had to do all the talking. It wasn’t casual conversation they were wanting from him. He thought it was rather rude of everyone to expect him to answer and explain everything when he was so hungry and wanting to eat. They were all eating, why couldn’t he be afforded the same respect? But then, he couldn’t blame them, they were all curious. Well, he reconsidered maybe he could blame Percy. “Yes,” he decided he could and would blame Percy. He hadn’t changed a bit from the old Percy he knew at Hogwarts.

“Mrs. Weasley,” he whisked his wand as he spoke and the breakfast dishes gathered and were sorted ready for washing and put in the dishwater. A wet dishrag started washing the table. “I know you and Ginny probably have your heart set on a big fancy wedding,” he was saying without missing a beat as the dishes began washing themselves, “but if it’s just the same, could we get married in the little Church in Godric’s Hollow where my parents were married. Any of the family can come, and close friends you want, but that is all. It will be at…” He stopped and looked at Ginny. “I don’t know what all you want to do, so you pick the time.”

“Seven o’clock this evening.” she answered without even thinking.

As Molly nodded her head in agreement, she wiped her eyes, and smiled. Harry did a double take and stopped making plans with Ginny. “Mrs. Weasley? I’m sorry. Is there something special you want for the wedding? You’re already wishing you hadn’t given me your Blessing then?”

“No, Dear, I’m just so happy.” she said through a stiff breath.

He wasn’t sure of this but as long as she didn’t change her mind he was willing to move on with the plans.

“Ginny, if you wouldn’t be upset then do you mind if we don’t go anywhere for our Honeymoon? We can stay at our brand new house. I haven’t been there yet either. It will be new for the both of us. I just would rather like to stay home for a while. I promise I’ll take you anyplace in any world you want to go a little later on.”

He stopped and looked swiftly at Molly who was beginning to sob gently. Arthur had his arm around her and petted her hair. Harry arched his eyebrows and asked, “Still just so happy?” with some uncertainty in his voice.

Molly laughed and waved her hand in embarrassment. “I’m just being silly Dear; don’t pay any mind to me. I am truly happy. Now! I need to get the boys to de-gnome the garden in case we get company before or after the wedding.” She started to the door and Harry spoke up with a start.

“Oh! Mrs. Weasley…” She turned around and said, “Now, I know you want to tell your story about the Zombies, and you are in no condition to be tossing gnomes about; you just sit still and rest.” She made to turn, but Harry stopped her again.

“Yes ma’am. I mean to say… “I don’t want to tell about the Zombies, but I said I will, but that isn’t what I wanted to say. Err… well, I may have stepped out of line this morning, but, there is so much to do, and well, I thought the more that was done before breakfast, the sooner Gin and I could get busy on the wedding plans. I’ve already de-gnomed the garden. And they won’t ever be back again.” He looked cautiously at her and was afraid she would be upset with him.

“I was on my way in from taking care of the hens this morning, when two gnomes, well actually… there may have only been one, and I just thought it was two. Anyway, I spoke to one and told it that he and his kind weren’t going to be able to stay here anymore…”

“You spoke to it?” Mr. Weasley asked with a patronizing smile on his face. “What did it say?”

Harry looked disgruntled at the man mocking him. This was the second time Mr. Weasley treated him this way. The first being the time when he told him about the secret, dark magic object Draco purchased in Knockturn Alley, and thought he was keeping in Malfoy Manor starting his sixth year at Hogwarts.

Arthur cleared his throat and proceeded. “I’m sorry Harry. It’s just funny you talking to them when it’s always been assumed that they can’t communicate with humans; they’re just ignorant pests.”

“You have to understand their way of communication. A couple years ago in Madagascar, for four months I was dependant on garden gnomes to bring me … err… what they considered food, to stay alive. I won’t go into the story, but anyway, I learned to make characteristic sounds to communicate their language, and they helped me retrieve my pouch and wand so I could escape.”

“Did you really?” asked Mr. Weasley in his way he had about him that made you adore him. “That is most fascinating, and I would most definitely love to hear more of that story!” He jumped all at once, as Mrs. Weasley poked her finger in his ribs. Then with a sidelong explanation said, “Err, that is to say, I would love to hear that story another time Harry, when we don’t have a wedding to prepare for.”

Harry swallowed and said, “Yes sir.” He looked back to Mrs. Weasley and realized she was waiting to hear why the garden didn’t need de-gnoming anymore.

“When I told them they couldn’t stay here anymore he said … well what he said was very rude, so I won’t tell you. I proceeded to tell him that the Lovegood’s across the way, would love to have them in their garden, and that I could get them over there if they wanted. They did of course, and they got all together and I sent them on their way with the help of my wand. They loved it really. Err… that was ok wasn’t it Mrs. Weasley?” he asked hopefully.

Just then everyone from outside came in. “Well, we found him.” said Ron.



“No more de-gnoming the garden Ron!” said Mr. Weasley smiling broadly. He hated making the boys de-gnome the garden. He always felt sorry for the little creatures.

“Huh? What’s that you’re saying Dad?” asked Ron, with his eyebrows arched; stunned by his dad’s exuberance and topic he was talking about. They were sent outside so they could talk to Harry and Ginny about getting married, but they talked about gnomes instead? He couldn’t make sense of it.

“Honestly Arthur!” exclaimed Molly shaking her head. Harry and Ginny however, were both smiling.

Great job, Connie!!
I loved it! It was just sooo cute! I loved the whole conversation between Harry and Ginny! It was so adorable! I can't believe they forgot Molly and Arthur were in the room. If I were Molly, I would have pulled Arhtur out of the room and left the 2 alone.
The Lovegood's will absolutely love those gnomes!
I take it the rest of the family already knows that Molly and Arthur said Harry could marry Ginny?
Sooooo, where's their new house gonna be?
Can't wait for next week's!!
Great job!
-Rachel

Liking it so far..

Oh dear, do I need to go back and delete a post or something?

FYI I love your portrayal of Arthur Weasley. He's dead on. And love you humanizing the gnomes more.

Awww such a sweet chapter. Harry and Ginny
PAMS

Eviee <33

Hey everyone, good day to all, Thanks for reading and I hope you are enjoying my ff. I'd like to say again that any success I have with this ff is due for the simple fact that JK Rowling wrote these books this ff is taken from. Her storytelling skills are brilliant and that makes it easy to come up with this series of ff's I'm doing, and I take no credit for myself. Next weeks chapter is Chapter 19, "Three Unexpected Visitors" I hope you enjoy this chapter.

narnia_potter; Hey Rachel, thanks for reading and commenting. You'll have to excuse them, they were in their own world at that moment. They waited four years for this moment, and just couldn't hold in their feelings anymore. : I think Molly was too overcome with Harry being so bold with her Ginny. Also I've always thought of Molly as a romantic person. Remember in TGOF when she and Bill went to Hogwarts and she told of her and Arthurs late night meetings. And the way she listens to romantic songs; just makes me think of her as a romantic, and she was just caught up in the moment same as them; as if she was reading a love scene in a book. And also, lastly, I think if it had become something more than what it was then she would have stopped them; and not left the room pulling Arthur along with her.

Yes, I think the Gnomes will be very happy at the Lovegoods. Hmm ... I wonder if they might have a part in my next ff?
No, nobody knows yet.

The new house boarders the Weasley property. It can't be seen yet because of the charm on the property that hides it. It looks like an overgrown ugly marsh. It's next week now! Thank you Rachel.

Derfel; Hey Owen it's been a while. I'm glad you like it; and I think maybe you were reading and commenting here at the same time I was commenting on your new chapter in your ff. That, by the way, was an excellent chapter and I can't wait for you to get another one posted. Thanks Owen.

Droo; Hey Droo, thanks for reading and commenting. No I caught my blunder before I submitted it. Thank you though. Arthur is so adorable that I'd love to write more of him in but I don't because I don't want him to become boreing, or someone you can't take seriously. And the Gnomes will be in the next ff I'm writing. Thanks Droo

Ladybug; Hey Eviee, thank you for reading and commenting. I do love writing Harry and Ginny.



Chapter 16

No more Mr. Nice Guy

Kingsley spoke in a serious manner and stated that they identified the body from a file they had on him at the Ministry. He handed Harry the file. “Do you recognize this man?”

Harry took the file and looked at it then tried to blink and stretch his eyes wide open and blinked again. “Yes Sir. His name is Morris Hadley. His brother, Eric is the leader of a band of outlaws in South Africa. They attacked the village I was in and killed a lot of people. I’ll never forget him, I saw him up close face to face. Both were captured, arrested and turned over to the prison, along with the rest of the band that was there and wasn’t killed.”

Harry returned the file and looked at his watch. He wished he could talk to Ron. He needed to talk to him about something in private. But it wasn’t to be at this time for Kingsley handed him a large bundle of files. “Please look through these and see if you can identify any of them. And you don‘t have any reason to go on remembering that man the rest of your life, because he was the body we found just now.”

The young man’s face fell as he took the files and said, “That’s not a good sign.”

Harry looked around at the faces of everyone watching him intently. He was beginning to feel like he did when he was at Hogwarts, and everyone watched him, listening if he said anything about when Cedric died.

Ginny protested. “Harry needs to recover before he starts working for the Auror’s. Trying to look at those stupid files will be hard and make his head hurt because he sees everything in doubles. Ever since he got here he’s done nothing but answer questions, explain things, do other people’s chores and he didn’t even get to eat his breakfast until we made everyone go outside. And he has to get ready for our wedding.”

“Ginny’s right Kingsley,” Molly said a bit more diplomatically. “Harry is going to undo all the mending he’s done on himself if he isn’t allowed to rest.”


“The files, if you would please, Harry. Forgive me for being so insistent, but I really need to know before I go back to the Ministry. There is something very wrong going on here, and the sooner I get a good lead, the better off we‘ll all be.”

Harry sighed deeply and took the files. He started trying to put things together. “Yes Sir, I’ll try.” He looked through each one and sorted them into piles of two. When he was done, he handed the small stack to Kingsley. For some reason he got the old feeling he had when Voldemort was still alive. This felt the same way after seeing all the people and the connections he made with them as he identified them from the graveyard that night of the last Tri-Wizard challenge.

“These ones I don’t know and have never seen before, to the best of my knowledge. These ones I’ve seen before, but don’t know their names. This woman, I know I’ve seen her but can’t place where at the moment. I’ll get back to her. I’m sure something will jog my memory. This man was in North America. He kept showing up at places I was at right after I got to America. Finally, I came out of a hardware store, and he shot me with what looked like a blow pipe, but it had lead pellets and a button to push instead of blowing in it to shoot it. It wasn’t a fatal shot and I was able to get away from him by ducking into an alley that was right there. He started shooting randomly at people that were just minding their own business. I ran at him catching him by surprise and we fought with our fists. I was just about beaten, when he got too close and because I was so much smaller than he was, got inside his reach and grabbed around his neck, twisted quickly and broke his neck killing him.” He saw the horror on some of the other’s faces and wished he was alone with Kingsley. He picked up the next file and said, “This man was one of the men that attacked the village I just mentioned before. He ran away when we started winning the battle. These four men said they were Botanists who were there studying the plants on the river or something. These twelve were at the same battle, and were all captured and sent to prison by way of the boat the Botanists had. They said they were going that way and would be happy to take them to the prison officials. These fifteen was at the same battle and was all killed; the first seven on the pile I killed. These nine were men working on the boat they used to send the prisoners upstream to the prison. This man is Rita Skeeter’s photographer. He also got on the boat and left with the others. Two law enforcement tribal men went with them to guard them. News came back that they died in a car accident on their way back to the river to come home. I hope this helps because …” He couldn’t finish because Percy interrupted.

“You should have gone with them Harry.” He shook his head and gave a little knowing laugh. “I’m afraid you messed up there Harry,” he said shrewdly.

Harry looked at Percy then looked at Kingsley. “I remember now where I saw that woman. I ran into her in Knockturn Alley my second year at Hogwarts. I never used the Floo Network before and got out to soon or late. She asked if I was lost and tried to grab my arm saying she could help me. Thankfully, Hagrid showed up and saved me from her. There was just something about her that I didn’t like.”

Ginny took his hand. She thought of how much he changed over the four years he was gone; but she knew when his anger became stirred too much. She was afraid he was about to boil over.

Hermione was looking hard at him and said in a disbelieving way, “You’ve killed?” Then Ron added almost at once, “A lot!”

Harry closed his eyes, and shook his head as he silently sat there calming himself. “Couldn’t this just end so he and Ginny could make their plans and everybody wouldn’t know all the trials he went through?”

Molly spoke up softly. “He killed when he had to.”

Harry opened his eyes and stared down Percy with the fire in his eyes they saw before, and spoke calmly, with the ice in his voice they heard before. “You’re right Percy. I should have gone with them. And I would have if I didn’t have a knife sticking out of my chest, and wasn’t on the ground trying not to die. And yes, Hermione, Ron … I killed, I killed a lot. Not just in South Africa, but all over the world. There are people who live outside our protective bubble we put ourselves in, who are tortured and killed; hundreds of people who cannot defend themselves like we can. They are massacred and whole tribes become extinct because they don’t have anyone fighting for them. These atrocities happen to them because they have something someone else wants. I lived with some of these tribes, and grew to love them. When these wanton violent acts came upon them, I did everything in my power to help them. Yes, I had to kill, and I will always do what I have to, to protect the people I love. Mr. Weasley, when you came home last night, you nearly killed me because you thought I was someone fixing to hurt or kill your family. Am I correct? I put it together a little while ago.” Arthur nodded and bowed his head with the shame he felt.

“I understand you were protecting the ones you loved. Ron, Hermione, you can’t sit there and tell me that you wasn’t glad he captured me, even though he had to use force that could’ve been fatal to me. And, I bet you were even a little disappointed that I wasn’t dead. Well, before you found out it was me, anyway. You had those feelings because you lived in the fear of that man who threatened you. It is absolutely the same exact thing as those tribes I lived with and protected. Why is it so wrong or surprising that I killed for those reasons? I think if you’ll be honest with yourselves, you’ll find you are the same way. I know you’re that way; I fought beside you all just a few years ago. Can any of you imagine Mr. Weasley being any different from what he was last night? He wouldn’t come home and see what he thought was his house being destroyed knowing you all were in here, and say, “Oh my, would you look at that? Someone has come, killed my family, and ruined my home. It sure is a shame there are people like that in the world. I sure hope they catch the dirty rotten man who is responsible.” I’m not someone who enjoys killing people; it isn’t in my heart to be that way. I cannot and will not ever watch while someone tries to do wrong against anyone, and then wish something be done about people who terrorize and murder people. I’m still the same ole Harry that left here. The difference in me now, is I know who I am, and what I’m meant to be.”

“And what are you meant to be then Harry?” asked Ron belligerently. He was a little jealous of Harry for once again being stronger and knowing so much more than him.

fantastiv post! Poor Harry being bugged by everyone.
I know I notmally write more, but I don't feel great. Can't wait fo the nect post!
-Rachel

Ooo so the wedding is next? Or will there be more strife between him and Ron?

Hey everyone, thanks for dropping in. I hope all my American readers had a wonderful Thanksgiving. This was a fun chapter to write and I hope you all have as much fun reading it. Next weeks chapter is, Chapter 18 "A Memorable Trip To Godric's Hollow"

narnia_potter; Hey Rachel I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling well. However, judging from the new post you just put up on your wonderful ff, "The Wedding" I think you are feeling better now. Thanks for reading and commenting even though you didn't feel well.

Droo; Hey Droo No, the wedding isn't next, as a matter of fact...the wedding is in the next story. This ff is about Harry needing to search for what he feels is empty in his life, before he can marry Ginny. His wand knows his desires of the heart and leads him around the world to help him see what is already in his heart by having compassion for, and helping the people he meets along the way throughout his quest.

Is there further strife between Harry and Ron? No, Harry is tired of the strife, and turns the table on Ron; it was very fun to write this part. I hope you enjoy it.




Chapter 17

Three Unexpected Visitors

“Ron,” Harry felt the sting in Ron’s voice and remembered the insecurities his friend always dealt with. “I’ve been the one talking all night last night, and all morning so far today. I don’t know anything about you guys. Did you finish school? Hermione, I know for sure you would. I know Ginny did, I followed her success in the papers. I have a scrapbook in fact. However, Ron, I don’t know about you. Do you all have jobs, and if so what are they? I haven’t been able to ask about Teddy. Have you and Hermione gotten married and have any kids? These things I want to know about.”



Harry looked at Ron with a serious face then grinned at Ron‘s sudden red face. “Speak up mate! Are you married and have some kids running around?”

“Wha … No!” He dropped Hermione’s hand as if it just burnt him.

“No, he isn’t married, and no he doesn‘t have any children,” answered Hermione. She was anxious to see how Harry would react to Ron’s evasive behavior on the subject.

“Times passing you by mate; what are you waiting for?”

Ron furrowed his eyebrows. “Look who’s talking!”

Harry’s grin didn’t waver, but he did speak to Ron’s accusation.
“It’s not nice to mock the ignorance in people Ron. ‘Yeah, look at stupid Harry. Went in search of himself all around the world for four years, only to realize finally that he had what he was looking for the whole time, but was just too stupid to see it.’ I overcame my stupidity, and made my amends and am going to reap the rewards tonight. Let’s get back to you.”

Ron’s face relaxed and he said, “No, it’s not like that at all Harry. You don’t understand.”

“I just explained the fact that I do understand Ron. I am not stupid anymore. What’s your excuse? Do you love Hermione with all your heart?”

“Well, yes! But…”

“Don’t you want to say good night to each other every night together in each other’s arms and in the same bed, instead of at the door?”

“Harry! You’re missing the point.” Ron stammered weakly.

“No Ron, it’s you that’s missing everything. Look at Hermione.”

Surprisingly enough the red headed boy, and not just speaking of his hair but his whole head, looked at Hermione.

“Hermione, Ron wants to know if you can overlook him being a stupid git and waiting all this time to ask if you’ll marry him.”

Hermione was looking at Ron with a broad smile hiding under her hand, but her eyes were dancing and she was clearly enjoying this.

“Ron? Hermione says she would love to be your wife even though you are an insufferable git, and wants to know the real reason it took you so long to ask.”

Harry smiled kindly at his friends. “All settled? Ginny and I are getting married tonight at seven o’clock. It would be great if we could have a double wedding. It would have been this afternoon, but there’s been too much talking.”

Harry got up and leaned heavily on Ginny. She could feel his body trembling. “Was he going to be able to pull this off?” she worried.

“Come on Ron; come with us. Even if you don’t want to get married with us, be with us. Hermione and Ginny can shop for Ginny’s dress and stuff she needs, and you can come with me to see the Pastor, and get my duds. But, we need to go now; I‘m starting to feel the need of a nap.”

Hermione turned to Ron with pleading eyes. Then she huffed and arched one eyebrow folded her arms across her chest and tapped her toes on the floor impatiently.

Ron swallowed hard and dropped to his knees. He looked her in the eyes and said with a quivering voice, “Hermione, I love you. Will you be my wife?”

“YES! YES! YES!” She shouted with great exuberance. She pulled him to his feet with surprising strength and kissed him hard on the lips.

“OK then, let’s get started.” Harry pulled out a chess Pawn, and showed it to Kingsley. ”I got this in Australia; it’s a Port Key. I have my own stream set up on it and everything. It’s registered and perfectly legal.” He tapped it saying, “Portus” and a second later a beautiful blue hue surrounded it. Then it went back to being ivory colored. He handed it to Ron. Just as soon as we’re done in Godric’s Hollow, you two Apparate to Hermione’s parent’s, ask them for their Blessing and bring them back with you using this.”

They arranged for Molly to owl Luna, Neville, Andromeda, and Teddy to come to the wedding. Arthur would go pick up Andromeda and Teddy when the time came. Then Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione walked out to the departure spot.

“I can’t believe our own little Ronnicans is getting married. Who wants odds that when he comes out of the Pastor’s study he’ll trip walking to the alter?” asked George laughing.

“No, that wouldn’t make for good odds. Harry will keep him from falling. But how about Ron passes out when the Pastor asks if anyone has any reason they shouldn’t get married, and we say we did, that Ronnicans is too little.” Percy suggested laughing hysterically at the thought. Charlie said he’d be willing to take those odds.

Molly blew into their plans with Gail force winds. “You will not do any such thing and if anything happens at that wedding, I’ll hold you three responsible. Furthermore, Ron seems to be the biggest man of the lot of you. At least he is going to get married instead of being a non-committed, childish, bully. I don’t see you three proposing to your girls. Charlie you’ve been dating your Stacy for how many years now? Percy? How long …” But the Percy suddenly pointed to the two couples walking through the yard.

“Look Mum! What do you suppose Harry is giving Ron? It’s a bag it looks like.” As soon as Molly turned away, the boys took off running. “That was quick thinking Percy! How did we let her get started on us? She turned on us like…”

“I know it right?” The three boys found their way into the living room away from Molly who was still watching out the door.

“What do you think Harry was saying about magic and the wand stuff? He does magic so smooth I can’t see him taking the time to think or anything. And what spells does he use?” George was asking.

Charlie put in his thoughts. “I think he was saying that the magic is in the person, and the wand reads the mind and directs the magic.”

“He definitely said the wand was an extension of the person using the wand,” added Percy remembering the incident at the breakfast table and the Quick Quotes Quill. “Why? What are you thinking George?”

“I’m thinking I want a loincloth or a pair of those comfy jungle pants, shorts, skirt underwear, whatever you call ‘em,” answered George.

“Yeah Me too!” the other two said.

“What do you reckon he made it from?” asked Charlie.

“He went to Australia first. I saw pictures of Aborigines wearing those. So, I’m thinking Kangaroo leather,” reasoned Percy.

“An extension of ourselves… so you reckon if we concentrate real hard on Kangaroo hide the wand will provide it for us?” asked George?

“I say it wouldn’t hurt to try,” said Charlie.

So the three boys with their eyes scrunched up tight, thought of Kangaroo hide while circling their wands in front of them. All the sudden three kangaroos appeared in the living room. They each yelled loudly at their results, and then fell to the floor too tired to move. The kangaroos however were not tired at all, but rather rambunctious and startled at being in a strange place all the sudden. They were hopping all over the furniture and bouncing off the walls, destroying the living room, and moving into the kitchen.

“Here now! What’s going on in here?” asked Mr. Weasley thinking the boys were roughhousing. “How many times have we told you…” But his lecture was cut short when he was boxed on the nose by one of the kangaroos. He caught his balance and got his wand just as one of them sat back on its tail and brought up both feet to kick Mr. Weasley. He froze them with a charm. Molly rushed in asking what was going on when she saw the house in a shambled wreck.

“What happened here?” she asked in shock.

“You don’t s’pose we could get Fawkes to sing that song for us that he sang for Harry do you?” asked George feebly. Needless to say, the boys didn’t know which was worse, being worn out from the spell getting the kangaroos there, or the screaming lecture they were getting from Molly, and this time not being able to run away from her. She caught three bottles of Pepper Upper potion and dropped each one on the boys, “But… no… Harry said chocolate…”

“There will be no chocolate for you three,” Molly retorted as she and Arthur went to work repairing the place and putting it all back in order.

“What are we to do with them?” asked Molly looking at her boys with steam coming out of their ears now.

“I guess I need to build some sort of shelter till we can get them to the zoo.” Arthur answered, rubbing his swollen nose and jaw.

Molly laughed and hugged her husband. “Let me fix you up dear.” She went to work on his face and then went on to say she was referring to the boys not the kangaroos.

Great job, Connie!

Yes, I am feeling better. Got over it by Sunday. Thanks for the lovely comment on mine! And you are welcome for commenting on yours!

This was a fantastic post! I absolutely loved it! So funny. Probably my favorite post. I loved how Harry turned on Ron and yet made it funny and cute! Double wedding, awesome!
-Rachel

Oh Ron... *shakes head* such an un-romantic proposal... I still think Hermione should have gone for Cormac McLaggen. Now he's a keeper! ()

Good chapters Connie I like them
Haha Kangaroo's Nice one
Aw Ron you are so romantic
PAMS

Eviee <33

Hey everyone, sorry I'm so late getting this posted. My Internet and all has been out and it just came on a bit ago. This chapter is a bit long, but I hope you all like it anyway. Next Friday will be Chapter 19, "A Bit Of Cloak And Dagger" Counting the next chapter there will be five chapters remaining in this story. Thank you all for reading, and please enjoy this chapter.


narnia_potter; Hey Rachel, I'm glad you're feeling better. Thanks for reading and commenting; it was a fun chapter to write. I can't wait until you read the wedding, and give me your opinion on it. I loved it if I do say so myself. Thanks Rachel

Droo; Hey Droo, thank you for reading and commenting. Big sigh, Ron is just Ron I guess, but I can't really fault him on his unromantic self this time; Harry did put him on the spot. He does make up for it later though. He just slips into those moments where he's just Ron getting what needs to be done no matter how sloppy he is about it. I wonder if maybe his maturing was stunted when Harry left. But any way; he does redeem himself throughout the next story, especially at the end. Starting with this chapter we'll see Ron start to grow up, but he won't lose his lovable self. I think Hermione chose well after all. Thanks Droo

Ladybug; Hey Eviee thanks for reading and commenting. I'm glad you liked the roo's, you haven't seen the last of them yet. And what of Charlie, George and Percy; do you think they learned their lesson? Thanks Eviee





Chapter 18

A Memorable Trip To Godric’s Hollow

As the two couples walked through the yard, Harry started talking to Ron with a plan he had. “Ron, while I was away I got to thinking about what I was going to do until I’m accepted me into the Auror’s program. And well, I don’t know what kind of job you have right now, but I was thinking of opening a Detective Agency of my own, and having you as my partner.” He held out his hand to Ron, and a bag appeared. “This is a full month earnings if you want to be my partner. If you don’t want to then I understand, and you can use this to help out with the wedding dress, rings, and stuff.”

Ron grinned taking the bag. “I’d really like that mate. So, it’d be like Sherlock Holmes and Watson then?”

“No, I don’t think so mate. I don’t want to start a partnership arguing who gets to be Watson. Everyone knows that Watson did all the work. On the other hand, that duo was in my opinion more like a master and slave thing. I don’t want to be anyone’s slave, and I don’t want that for you either. So, it’ll be like when we were at Hogwarts and just figured things out, and worked together.”

“But who would be the boss?” Ron asked cautiously.

They stopped at the gate, and Harry looked at Ron to study his face for clues of what was on his mind. “I wasn’t really thinking of there being a boss. When we did things always before it was all of us putting in our ideas and then deciding what idea was the best. That’s what I always thought anyway. Do you remember it being different than that?”

“I remember it that way too, but it always ended up being your way was the best.”

“You’re wrong on that Ron. I’m not going to split hairs though. If there has to be a boss, then I guess it will be me. I will be doing all the paperwork for the government and taking the flack if there are problems. I’m funding the business entirely on my own. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

“How am I wrong? We’ve always ended up doing your ideas.” Ron shot back.

“That’s different than what you said before. Before, you said we did my ideas because they were the best. And I’m saying they weren’t always the best.”

“I’d like you to name one time that your idea wasn’t the best.” Ron pleaded his case.

“Really Ron? Does this have anything to do with being my partner? Why did Serious die? Because of my stupidity; it was my idea to go to the Ministry. Hermione begged and pleaded with me not to go. I said I was going and my friends, all of whom could have been killed, went with me. That definitely counts as a wrong idea to me. It was my idea to wear the Horcrux necklace. No matter what my reason to wear it was, it was a bad idea to wear it. It lost us you for a while, and it nearly killed me three times. Once when it kept me from being able to call on my Patronus, I nearly didn’t get away from the Dementors. Another time was when it started to attach itself to my chest, burrowing into my heart. I was sick from Nygini’s venom, and Hermione saved me from it then. And then, when it nearly drowned me, and you saved me. So, yeah wearing the Horcrux was another bad idea. Am I to keep coming up with bad ideas I had Ron, or can we just move on? Do you want to be my partner like I asked, or you’d rather keep the job you have now?”

Ron looked at Harry who was now leaning heavily on Ginny, and hunched over more than just slightly. His forearm was tightly pressing his lower torso and his jaw clenched tight when he wasn’t talking. Also, he was visibly trembling.

“Look Mate, I don’t know what got into me. You are a born leader, and I have always been a follower. I would follow you to the moon if you were going. Yeah, Harry, I want to be your partner, and I accept you as the boss.”

Just then, they heard a commotion from the Burrow. It sounded as if the house was under attack, and they were putting up a fight. Harry and Ron both turned and started to run in when suddenly they heard everything go quiet and then Molly yelling at George, Percy, and Charlie.

“Let’s get out of here! Ron? Help me?”

Ron grabbed him tightly around the waist and they all Apparated away to the Parsonage of the Church in Godric’s Hollow where they were going to be married. Harry handed Ginny a bag of gold and told the girls to go get the dresses and everything they needed. Ron handed Hermione the bag Harry gave him, but she handed it back.

“I’ve had my dress for ages Ron. I’ve just been waiting for you to ask me.” The two of them started getting all ga ga when Harry interrupted them.

“Could you guys just hold that thought for the time being, so we can get on with this? I need to get inside and sit down quickly, or you’re gonna have to carry me.”

The girls hurried away with worry over Harry, and excitement of shopping for Ginny’s dress. They were already talking about Hermione’s dress and what dress shop she got it from. Harry had his arm swung up over Ron’s shoulders hanging on with his head drooping, and Ron had him tightly around the waist guiding them to the Parsonage doorbell.

The Pastor answered the door and looked bewildered at the two young men. Harry raised his head, but Ron was the one who spoke first. He was excited and completely on board with getting married and getting a great job. “We’re getting married and want you to marry us!” he spouted happily.

“Err, no … Ron…” Harry looked quickly at the pastor. He wished his head wasn’t throbbing so loudly in his ears, and he wished he could just get inside to sit down for a spell so his stomach would start behaving. It would help too, if the Pastor would stop swaying, both of them. It hit him then that he was about to pass out.

“Please Sir, might we be able to come in and sit down? Our fiancés are off getting their wedding dresses, and we came here to ask if you would perform a double wedding for us in the church tonight at seven o‘clock. I‘m really not feeling well at all, could we …”

“Yes! Yes, please come in and set down. Forgive me of my poor manners.” He opened the door wide and helped them to seats. “Now, tonight you say. It is my normality to council a couple on marriage for four weeks before I agree to marry them. Are the girls in trouble? Is that the reason for the sudden wedding? Or can you explain another reason why it has to be tonight?”

“Yes Sir, I mean no sir. They’re not in trouble, and we can give you the reason we want it tonight. You see we’ve …” Harry began, and stopped when the pastor’s wife entered with some ice water. “Oh thank you very much ma’am.” Harry took it and drank several swallows before he started speaking again. “Thank you very much. That really hit the spot. Um, yeah, we have all been in love with each other for years really. It was pretty much a plan that I would ask Ginny to marry me, but the war was on, and I was gone from Ginny for most of the year. When we, that is to say Ron, Hermione, and I came back, we all fought in the battle that ended the war against Voldemort, and his Death Eaters. After the war was won, I didn’t know what was to become of me because of my emptiness and confusion. I wanted to marry Ginny, but I wasn’t fit for her. I left on a quest and worked all over the world trying to find what wasn’t in me, that kept me from being fit to marry her. I found it and just returned home last night. I don’t know why Ron and Hermione didn’t get married while I was gone, so Ron will take over from here.” He looked encouraging to his friend and nodded his head telling him to go on.

Ron cleared his throat and took a timid breath. “Err… well, like Harry here said, we pretty much figured we’d get married, but before the last battle started, we were on a mission, and I lost faith in myself. I allowed my mind to think things I knew weren’t true. I deserted them. Bloody yellow of me I know, but I left …. That moment I knew I did wrong. I searched for them for hours, but lost my way. I went to my brother’s house and stayed. I always felt inferior to Harry; I told myself that she was better off with him anyway. During the time, I was gone from them I determined that I loved Hermione more by the second, and I wouldn’t be able to live without her as my wife. Then I thought of Harry, and how much he loved Ginny. He would never give up Ginny for any reason, and Hermione was never more than a best friend same as me. We were all best friends, but Hermione and I loved each other. I finally did find my way back to them, but it was a time we didn’t need to be distracted by relationships, so we kept a friendly distance between us. After the war, it seemed like I was kind of in a state of limbo. My best mate was gone, and I couldn’t get a decent job. I did finish school, and I am studying to become an Auror, but I didn’t even try to get a job. I’ve just been working at the Joke Shop. I still live at home.” He hung his head in shame. “I’m just a bloody bum. The only contribution I make at home is feeding the stupid chickens, and I give the money I make to my parents.”

The pastor listened intently and asked Ron how he would support his wife without a decent job, and was he expecting to stay at his parents with his wife. “I must tell you that these very things are the top reasons for divorce. They are young and in love, but the hardships upon them cause a rift in the marriage, and many cannot keep it together.”

“Yes Sir. I understand that Sir. I am happy to say that I do have a great job now. And I am in a position now to purchase a place I’ve been looking into for a while now. The owner said he’d keep it for me if I decided to buy it.”

The pastor nodded his head. “The war was a terrible thing in every way. However, we can always look for something good to come out of the vilest of circumstances. And, I believe I know who you are. You sir, are Harry Potter, and you sir, are Ron Weasley. We’ll let you answer first Ron, if you like. What good came out of the war that affects you and your outlook on life?”

“Right … well … I guess the first thing that comes to mind is that I’m more aware of the downcast and oppressed, and the unfair way they live in our society. I’m ashamed to say that before the war, I was one who thought they were not as important as my life and me and I only thought of them as far as what they can do for me. House Elves Sir is what I am mainly talking of. But since before the last battle began, I started getting a different point of view. Now, I fight for their rights along side of Hermione.”

“And you Harry? What good came out of that war for you? Other than you aren’t pestered by Tom Riddle anymore of course.”

“Yes Sir. The thing I realized that was a good thing for me was I no longer lived with hate in my heart. Ever since I can remember, I lived in a world of hate. It consumed all of me. And after he was killed, I didn’t have any hate in me.”

“And what did you do with all that empty space that hate occupied?” inquired the pastor.

“I filled it with love Sir. I help those who need my help, because I love them.”

“So you both found your humanity, because of the war. I would say that is something very worthwhile, and I think the two of you will be very decent and mature husbands for your wives. If I consent in marrying you, will you do your best in all matters to make your marriages work, and if ever there is a time of doubt you will seek the church for council?”

“Yes Sir!” answered Ron

Harry stared at the pastor and thought about his last four years. He realized that each time when he was in a desperate situation, he ended up calling out for God when he thought all else was lost. He hadn’t thought why he did it. He just did. Was there something to this, or was it hope that he could be helped, but didn‘t know how it could happen? He decided that it wouldn‘t hurt to check into it. “Yes Sir. I will.”

“Then when your ladies return, I will ask them each a question, and if they answer correctly, then I will marry you tonight. If not, then I must insist that I council for the four weeks, and then marry you.”

They both agreed and the pastor started telling them about marrying Harry’s parents. “You know, your dad asked me to marry them much the same way you did; wanted to be married that day.” He continued talking to them about Harry’s parents which Harry was enjoying because among other reasons he was getting over the horrible feeling he had when they Apparated. Then Hermione and Ginny came.

“Hello, come in!” coaxed the pastors’ wife.

“Pastor, this is my fiancé Ginny Weasley, and this is Hermione Granger, Ron’s fiancé. Girls this is Pastor Josiah, and his wife Rosemary.”

“Pleased to meet you both I’m sure.” Spoke Ginny and Hermione at the same time. They smiled and did a little shy giggle, as they had lately been sharing the same sentences precisely at the same time.

Pastor Josiah and his wife shook each of their hands, and said they were pleased to make their acquaintances. “Harry? I do not recall introducing ourselves, which was rude of me. How is it that you know us?”

“Oh, well when we Apparated here, I lost my legs and was tripping all over my own feet, and nearly fell into your church sign in the yard. All I saw at first was your name. And when your wife came in with the water, I saw her cupboards were painted with flowers and such and it said in the center, Welcome to Rosemary’s Kitchen”

“You’re a very observant young man! Ginny may I ask you a question?”

She smiled and said, “Yes of course.”

“What is it that makes you certain that you love Harry, and there won’t be anything or anyone to come between you?” he asked with a friendly smile.

“Love is the music my heart dances to. And Harry is my dancing partner for life. I‘ve had a lot of time, and been many places to get distracted, but, I never did. I remained loyal to him, and will continue to love him until I die.”

“And Hermione; the same question please.”

“I want to live in a world of love, peace, fun, and harmony. I worked hard to find that world, and am determined to live there. Ron is the caretaker of that world, and I want to live there with him for the rest of my life.”

“You are both very sweet young women. So, we’ll see you tonight at seven; or earlier if you want to get ready here. We‘ll be home all day, if you‘d like to have flowers, or anything sent here.”

They said good-bye, and began walking down the walkway. “This is a very sweet little community,” said Ginny as she looked around in a very happy state of mind.

“Yeah, it is.” Harry said looking around. “Let’s get to the jewelers in Diagon Alley.” He said quickly. “We can look around another time.” He smiled at their faces. “We have a lot to do yet right?”

Ron was still a bit bemused. “What are we Harry that we had to have a big lecture and asked deep questions, and the girls get to have one wonky question? That didn’t seem fair at all. I bared my soul in there. And the girls got to just say something cute and that’s it.”

“Ron,” Harry looked around hurriedly. We really need to go, but if this is going to hold us up until you get an answer than all I can say is this. The saying, ’You wear your heart on your sleeve’ is true for guys. It’s not a bad thing, but it’s supposed to sound demoralizing or unmanly. The fact of the matter is this; men do wear their emotions on their sleeves. It’s what makes us quick to temper, or quick to laugh, or whatever the emotion is at the time. Our feelings of the heart are so personal and fragile that we bury it under layers of protective shielding, that even we have trouble penetrating sometimes. Girls are the opposite. They don’t have to wear their emotions on their sleeves. They openly display their emotions on big signs so we thickheaded men can read them easily making a relationship easy, carefree, and enjoyable. Pastor Josiah made us uncover our hearts and look inside. The girls, he just had to come out and ask. Everybody’s happy, and we all live happily ever after; unless we don’t leave right now. Let’s go.”