Chapter One
At Potter Castle - The same evening (continued from previous story)
Ginny and Molly arrived in the master suite a few minutes after Xavier had arrived with Harry. Maxim was already attending to Harry and making sure that he was comfortable in the bed.
"Good evening, Ginny," Maxim said once she transformed back to her human form.
"Evening, Maxim. Thank you for taking care of Harry," she replied as she walked towards the bed.
"You're welcome," replied Maxim before turning to Molly. "Good evening, Mrs. Weasley."
"Good evening, Maxim," replied Molly as she looked around the large suite.
Ginny climb onto the bed with Harry and lay next to him, she didn't want to be away from him at the moment. A while later she suddenly remembered her mum was standing in the room watching over them.
"I'm sorry, mum. I should have shown you to your room," Ginny said while attempting to get up from the bed.
"Don't worry dear, Maxim has already taken care of that," replied Molly.
"I was about to get a cup of tea, do you want anything?" asked Molly.
"No, I'm good, thanks. I think Ill get some sleep; its been a long day," Ginny said, as she climbed under the covers with Harry.
"Have a good night; I will see you in the morning," Molly stated, as she came towards the bed and gently hugged Ginny before leaving the room.
Molly slowly made her way down to the kitchen. When she arrived she was greeted by several elves, who attempted to serve her. Realizing that they were not going to leave, she asked for a pot of tea and some biscuits. They were happy to serve and quickly disappeared. Moments later Sandy returned with a tray and handed it to Molly.
"Thank you," Molly said as she took the tray.
Molly walked into the large sitting room, which had a number of portraits around the room. She wasn't really paying attention when suddenly one of them started speaking.
"Hello," said the portrait directly above the fireplace.
Molly was startled at hearing the voice and spun around with her wand drawn. She looked around for a second before realizing that it was a portrait that had spoken. She approached the fireplace and gasped in surprise, for looking directly at her were older versions of Harry and Ginny.
"Hello," said Molly gingerly as she moved closer.
"Who are you?" asked the portrait.
"I am Molly Weasley," she replied.
"Hello Molly, I'm Lily Potter and this is my husband James," the portrait said as she pointed to the man in the next picture who was slowly waking up.
"Its nice to meet you both," Molly said with a smile. She had heard many stories about the Potters but had only met them a few times before they went into hiding.
"I don't mean to be rude," Lily said in reply, "but could you tell me where we are?"
"We are in Potter Castle," explained Molly.
"And why are you here?" asked Lily, trying her hardest not to sound rude.
"I am helping my daughter, Ginny, look after Harry," she replied.
"Harry is here?" asked Lily, suddenly looking very alert.
"Yes, he is currently asleep in the master suite," Molly informed them as she looked intently at Lily, realizing just how similar Ginny and Lily were.
"Oh well, I guess we will have to wait until tomorrow to talk to him," Lily said, sounding a little sad, which surprised Molly.
"I'm sorry, Lily, but Harry will not be able to talk to you for a couple more days yet. I take it from your reaction that he has not found the portraits before. He has spent some time here over the last six months," replied Molly.
"What is wrong with Harry?" Lily asked in concern.
"He was attacked by one of my sons this evening," Molly said quietly.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN ATTACKED?!" James suddenly roared, having quietly observed the conversation up to that point.
Molly wasn't sure how best to explain what had happened, and in the end decided that it would be better to explain the whole story. Over the next hour she explained to James and Lily about the Soul Bond between Harry and Ginny and everything else that had happened. They were not surprised by what they were told, as Lily had a vision after Ginny was born.
"Thank you, Molly," said Lily, after she had finished.
"You're welcome, I'm just sorry that we didn't get to meet more often before you left," replied Molly.
They continued to chat late into the evening. Molly explained what had happened in the Wizarding World since they had left. Finally, at one o'clock the next morning, Molly decided it was time to head off to bed. She bade them goodnight and headed up to her room, promising them that she would be back the next day to talk further and would ensure that Harry and Ginny knew they were there.
Over the next two days Molly spent a lot of time talking with James and Lily. She told them about her family and talked about the pranks that the twins pulled all the time. This, of course, amused James to no end.
She spent the rest of the time helping Ginny.
"How are you doing?" asked Molly, in the afternoon of the second day at the castle.
"Not too bad, thanks," replied Ginny.
"Ginny, you are amazing. I have watched you over the past two days and have seen just how mature you have become; not just with your decisions, but also with the way you have cared for Harry. There isn't anything that you wouldn't do for him and I know in my heart that he feels the same way," Molly said.
"He IS the best thing that has ever happened to me," replied Ginny.
"And I have a feeling that you are the best thing that has ever happened to him too," said Molly.
Harry told her very clearly through the bond what he thought of that statement, causing her to blush slightly.
"He agrees with you," Ginny told her a moment later.
They were quiet for a while before Molly spoke again. "Ginny, I know that you made a promise not to sleep together until you are sixteen. I just wanted you to know that we are not going to hold you to that. I am not encouraging you to indulge anytime soon, but I want you to know that when you both feel you are ready, you shouldn't be afraid to take that step.
"Just promise me that you will be careful when you do, I don't want any grandchildren just yet."
Ginny blushed when Molly mentioned sleeping together, but was pleased that her parents trusted them both enough to know when the right time was.
"Thank you, mum," replied Ginny, as she pulled her into a hug.
"Just don't tell your brothers. That isn't something they need to know about," Molly stated afterwards.
"Don't worry, that isn't something that we are going to discuss with anyone else," Ginny stated in disgust that her mum would think she would talk about her sex life with her brothers.
Harry actually laughed at her reaction to that.
Watch it you, Ginny said into the bond.
Or what? asked Harry.
The bed will be very cold, replied Ginny, laughing.
Oh well, Ill just have to find something else to keep me warm. I am sure they have some hot water bottles around here, Harry said with amusement.
Prat! exclaimed Ginny, before completely ignoring him.
The rest of the day passed very quickly as Ginny and Molly continued to talk about the future and what would happen with their education. She was well aware that both Harry and Ginny could complete their NEWT's without even trying, but was pleased that they had chosen to stay at school.
She told Ginny about her talks with James and Lily, and suggested that she visit them soon. Ginny decided to wait until Harry woke up before going to see them, as she knew that it would be hard on Harry anyway and didn't want to add to it by seeing them before he could.
Molly told her what she had discussed with James and Lily so that she wouldn't be surprised if they said anything. Ginny was worried when she said that, but Molly then told her that she had only mentioned what had happened since the bond was formed. It wasn't her right to talk about Harry's past, and she wasn't going to compromise their trust by talking about it. She did tell Ginny that she felt it was important for them to be honest about the bond with James and Lily as they needed to know what had happened to Harry, even if they could no longer do anything about it.
Ginny woke up late on the third morning at the castle; she was enjoying the closeness of sleeping next to Harry and didn't want to let him go just yet.
"Good morning, beautiful," Harry croaked.
"Good morning, love," replied Ginny without thinking.
Ginny suddenly realized that Harry had actually spoken and immediately sat up and looked at him.
"Oh, Harry, I am so glad you are finally awake," Ginny said as she leaned in and kissed him gently.
"So am I, Gin."
"How are you feeling?" asked Ginny.
"Still a little sore, but waking up with you in my arms definitely made up for that," replied Harry with a grin.
Ginny smiled down at him again and replied, "Well, you'd better get used to it."
"Oh, I think I could suffer through that," said Harry with a smirk.
Ginny playfully smacked him on his arm not realizing that Molly had walked into the room.
"Is that classified as spousal abuse, Molly?" asked Harry with a laugh.
"Well, it depends, Harry," replied Molly realizing that he was joking.
"Depends on what?" asked Harry and Ginny together.
"On whether or not you want to sleep on the couch, Harry," replied Molly before laughing at the shocked look on Harry's face when he realized she was joking.
"Oh, then in that case I would have to say no," Harry said as he rolled over to avoid another smack from Ginny.
Molly walked around the bed and said, "I am so sorry for what happened to you, Harry," pulling Harry into a hug.
As she pulled back from the hug Harry could see the regret and sadness in her eyes over what had happened to him.
"Molly, please don't blame yourself for what happened. It was Ron's fault and no one else's," Harry said with kindness.
Molly smiled at him before responding, "Thank you, Harry. Its doesn't make it much easier, but I'm glad that you are not holding a grudge against him."
"At least I came through it; unfortunately, I doubt that we will ever be able to be friends like we once were. However, I'm not going to let that ruin the friendship I have with the rest of the family."
"You really are a very wise boy, Harry. There are not many people who would be able to see that clearly after such an attack," stated Molly.
"Well, I have a wonderful wife who loves her family very much and has taught me the true meaning of love," Harry said as he pulled her close to him again.
Ginny had tears in her eyes at Harry's comment; it warmed her heart to hear Harry say it. She already knew that Harry didn't blame anyone but Ron for the attack, but it was reassuring for him to express it.
"So what do you want to do today?" asked Molly.
"I think I'm just going to relax today," replied Harry. "I want to spend some time with my beautiful wife."
"That sounds good. Ill head back to the Burrow to check how everyone is doing. Let me know if you have any problems or need anything," Molly told them as she prepared to leave.
"Thanks for all your help, Molly," replied Harry.
"Oh, and before I forget, Bill told me today that they're going to visit Grunnings in two days to have your Uncle arrested," Molly told him as she prepared to leave.
"That is most wonderful news indeed," said Harry with a large smile.
Ginny escorted Molly to the fireplace so that she could leave.
"Thanks, Mum, I couldn't have done it without your help," Ginny said as they were walking.
"It was the least I could do. I am just so glad that you have each other and will do anything to take care of yourselves," replied Molly.
"I am glad that I have Harry too, mum. He really is the best thing that has ever happened to me since the Chamber," replied Ginny.
She quickly hugged her mum and then watched as she left for the Burrow. When Ginny got back to the master suite, Harry was heading into the bathroom.
"Hey baby, I am going to have a nice long bath. Would you like to join me?" asked Harry.
"Yes, I would like that very much," replied Ginny with a smile.
A few minutes later she joined Harry in the bath. She rested her head on his chest as she sat between his legs and enjoyed the warmth of the water.
Later that day, when the two of them finally left the bedroom, they had spent several hours in the bath just relaxing. Harry had placed a warming charm on the water that kept it at the same temperature for the whole time.
Maxim was pleased that Harry was finally awake and prepared a rather large lunch which they enjoyed on the balcony outside their room.
"Well, at least your mum doesn't have to worry about me being too thin this year," Harry said with a laugh.
"That is true, but watch out, Potter, I don't want to be married to a fat boy either," replied Ginny before laughing.
"Hey, I could say the same to you," replied Harry before running out of the balcony.
"Well, in case you haven't noticed, Mr. Potter, I am not a boy," replied Ginny as she chased after him.
"Oh, I can say with certainty that I am well aware that you are not a boy. There is no way you would have been sharing a bath with me this morning if you were, and I can guarantee you would not have gotten that reaction," replied Harry with a laugh reminding her of just what her wiggling had done to him.
"I am glad you realized, Mr. Potter. Otherwise I would have been very worried with that reaction," replied Ginny before catching up with him.
Before Ginny could do anything, Harry started tickling her. She was screeching at him to stop, but he refused and continued for another ten minutes before jumping up with a laugh and racing down the stairs.
"I am SO going to get you for that, Potter!" shouted Ginny as she again gave chase.
Several hours and a number of tickle wars later, the two of them were racing around the Quidditch pitch on their brooms. They had forgotten about the tickle war when they arrived outside to a glorious sunny day.
After flying for an hour they both landed in the middle of the pitch and collapsed from exhaustion.
I haven't had that much fun in years, said Ginny.
Ive never had that much fun before, replied Harry as he reached out with his hand and grabbed Ginny's.
Well, I'm glad that I could be with you when you did, replied Ginny as she shared her love for him through the bond.
I'm glad that you were here too, Harry told her.
It was almost dinnertime when the two of them finally arrived back in the castle.
"Ginny, would you like to have dinner outside this evening?" asked Harry as they walked towards the kitchens.
"That would be wonderful," replied Ginny.
"Great! I wanted to explore some of the buildings on the grounds and thought it would be a perfect opportunity to have a picnic as it is so warm," Harry told her as they approached Maxim and requested a picnic dinner.
Maxim was happy to prepare the picnic and returned several minutes later with a large basket full of food.
Hand in hand, Harry and Ginny walked down towards one of the larger outhouses. As they got closer they realized that it was actually a stable. They looked around carefully, noticing that while it was currently empty, the elves had done a fantastic job maintaining it.
"This place is amazing, Harry! There must be room for at least twenty horses, maybe more," Ginny said in an excited voice. It was no secret that Ginny had always loved horses and as a kid, had passed the time watching the neighbors pack. She loved to ride, but didn't get many chances any more.
Harry suddenly realized what he could do for Ginny's birthday; he quickly hid that thought behind his door in their mind.
A few minutes later, they settled down on a large blanket and enjoyed the picnic together. When they finished eating, Harry banished the basket back to the castle and they cuddled together as they watched the sunset.
After breakfast the next morning, Harry and Ginny continued to explore the grounds around the castle. They had not yet approached the forest that surrounded two thirds of the castle and stretched further than the eye could see.
"Harry, we should explore the forest someday," said Ginny as they walked hand in hand around a large lake they had discovered almost a mile away from the castle.
"We should use our Animagus forms to do the exploring," suggested Harry.
"That would be fun. When the others get here, we could explore as a pride," Ginny said in reply as she looked towards the middle of the lake spotting a disturbance in the water.
"It looks like there are fish in the lake," she said spotting one breach the surface.
"We should explore the lake at some point too," Harry said as he followed Ginny's gaze.
They finally arrived back at the castle at lunchtime and settled down to eat on the patio next to the pool. After lunch, Harry asked Ginny if she wanted to play one on one Quidditch for a while.
"Yes, that would be perfect; lets see who the better seeker is!" replied Ginny with a smile.
"Oh, is that a challenge?" Harry asked as he grabbed his broom.
"Yes, I believe it is, Mr. Potter," Ginny replied as she jumped on her broom and sped away.
"And what may I asked will the winner get as a prize?" asked Harry as he released the snitch and chased after her.
Harry blushed at the suggestion that came from Ginny. They spent the next two hours chasing after the snitch, and in the end, they had both caught the snitch the same number of times.
"I guess we are both evenly matched," Ginny said as they walked, hand in hand, back to the castle.
"I guess so," replied Harry.
"That was fun, I cant wait for the others to get here so we can play more often," Ginny said as they walked into the castle.
"I cant wait to claim my prize," Harry said as he pulled Ginny into a passionate kiss.
"Hey, who said you won?" asked Ginny slightly out of breath after their kiss.
"Well, based on the prize you suggested, I didn't think it really matters who won!" replied Harry as he flashed them to the master suite. A few minutes later they were both relaxing in a nice warm bath once again.
Maxim served dinner that evening on the balcony outside their room as they again watched the glorious sunset over the forest. Several times during the evening they spotted Xavier and Fawkes flying together with several other creatures, including, to their surprise, a Hippogriff.
A/N: I know some of you are upset with how Ron was dealt with at the end of the last story, remember this is the Wizarding World we are dealing with and they tend to do things slightly different. Also this isn't the end of our journey with Ron, he will pay for what he has done to Harry but I will not say any more yet.