A/N: Cole excellent question...I hope this chapter confirms it about Percy...he's such an arrogant B****** that sometimes i forget he's in the family...he's soo different from the rest of his family members...oh well i dont hate him that much
Thank you Sarah...i do try.....and hacofo lmao i do feel like being evil sometimes, hopefully this chapter will do it justice.
This chapter is by far the longest one...with about 5000 words...and will prolly remain that way. Thanks to my other reviewers.
Claiming
"So..."Ginny asked feeling a little awkward as she set the dishes in the sink. Harry followed suit, and Ginny moved away before she lost her head due to the proximity between them.
"So, I wanted to talk" Harry said surely.
"About..." Ginny asked uncertainly.
"C'mon Gin, you know what"
"No Harry, I don't know what. Care to enlighten me?"
"Ughh I'm talking about your relationship with Ernie. Or rather about what it was"
"OOO-kkkayy...?? I don't exactly see how it's your business...but go ahead" she said as she crossed her hands.
He had a hurt expression on his face, "Don't be like that" he said softly "I'm just wondering why you didn't tell anyone of us about the break-up"
"Oh dear! Like I said before, it wasn't a big deal," she said exasperatedly "besides I don't have to tell you guys everything. You don't, so why the hell should I repeat the favour?"
"K now you're just being childish. What is it that you're really getting at?" he asked looking a tad bit mad.
"I'm talking about you writing to George. K not that I mind you writing to him. But why the hell didn't you write to me? I was waiting for just a word from. Anything. Could have been one syllable for all I care. Cuz I don't know. I'm pretty sure I could have helped you with your decision to come back to Hogwarts, just as well as the others. I think of all the reasons of why you wouldn't write to me, and the only one I was left with was that you just stopped caring about me. But that didn't work in proportion either. Because, Bang the next moment you're here and you do things and say things that bring me back to step number one with you and I'm left thinking What in Merlin's name went wrong!" she took a deep breath. A tear was threatening to fall, but she wouldn't let it. Not yet at least.
"Are you done or is there more?" Harry asked slowly and patiently.
"No, I'm done" she said softly not meeting his eyes.
"K listen" he said as he took a step closer to her, "I didn't write to you because...because I was scared that you wouldn't want to read it or reply or something. And even you did reply then I felt after the way I left things with you, I felt I didn't deserve your sympathy or your care. But that's not all. I didn't tell you about all the stuff going on with Voldemort and the war, I didn't think I should burden you with all that crap. It would have been too much to handle, I already had my best friends way to deep in it. I wanted to keep you away from it, how much ever I could." He stopped for a second softly adding, "You'd be the person I would come to after all that mess, after the war."
She didn't say anything for a while, and her head was bent down, therefore not giving Harry a glimpse of her eyes either, which could have possibly betrayed what she was feeling.
Finally when she looked up at him, her eyes were glassy "I shouldn't have brought you this shirt" she said her voice rough.
"What?" his eyes widened as if he couldn't believe he heard her right.
"This" she tugged at the front of his shirt "isn't helping me think straight."
He looked at her before the two burst into laughter simultaneously.
"Thanks for this by the way" he said as he wiped his eyes.
"You're welcome. Why didn't you?"
"Why didn't I what?"
"Come back straight to me."
"C'mon, you know better than most I needed some time alone-"
"Yea, I mean after that" Ginny interrupted him.
"Well I tried to except you were really interested in Ernie. I couldn't compete."
"This has nothing to do with Ernie" Ginny retorted.
"Of course it does"
"No, it doesn't" Ginny said quickly, "if you would have given me a sign earlier than u originally did, and then it could have easily been me and you, instead of me and Ernie."
"So you're saying you want to?" suggested Harry with a twinkle in his eye.
"Don't flatter yourself; I didn't break up with Ernie for you. Besides, I can go back to him anytime, he hasn't given up on me" she said as she cocked her face to one side.
"I wouldn't either" he said softly, "I didn't".
He touched her cheek lightly and as if in a trance she gave in to his touch, moving closer to him.
"Tell me it wasn't serious between you and him" he whispered as he ran a thumb over her lips.
"It never is" she breathed. And it was the truth. It was about time she admit to herself, that her relationships were just something she tried to get over Harry. But each one made her realize that no one was ever going to compare to the real thing.
Harry hooked two fingers under her chin and tipped her face towards his own. His lips were an inch from hers when she gave in to reason and pushed him away.
"No" she choked "we can't"
"Why not?" he said his voice still a little husky as he touched her elbow slowly. He didn't bother to keep the disappointment from his voice either.
"No Harry, I want to be sure about this. I can't do this so quickly. I've just broken up with Ernie."
"But you said so yourself, that it didn't mean anything to you."
"Yes it didn't. But I don't want to be the girl who goes through boyfriends like pages of a book or something" she softened a little, "you're different. This is different. I want the world to know that as well. Besides, I want to make sure this is real, what I feel for you. Not just some crush on the Chosen one or something" she couldn't help but chuckle as she said this.
"Fine, you make sense" he pouted looking irresistible yet again and it was a chore not giving in to a kiss yet again, "I'll wait. But it feels so natural" he said with a sigh as he moved away from her, giving her space to breathe. "Everything when it comes to you makes sense," he said as he fixed her with an intense stare, "I have to admit when I came back, all I could think was about seeing you, being near you. But when I saw you with Ernie it nearly killed me, it felt like Dean all over again and..." he shuddered a little. His intensity instead of scaring Ginny attracted her all the more.
"Harry" she chuckled, "you're making it really hard to stay away from you."
"I really wish I had noticed you before, we could have had so much time before and we possibly wouldn't be in this situation."
"No you were busy lusting after Cho, to notice me" she said slyly.
"Ughh I was so stupid then" he said as he ran a hand through his hand frustratingly, "I used to be such a blubbering nervous little boy then, not knowing what I wanted." When Ginny grinned at that he added, "No really, Cho was a mistake, I saw that soon enough."
"And you don't feel nervous around me?" Ginny asked.
"Umm I do but...it feels natural to feel that way around you...I don't have to pretend with you around."
Home is where the heart is, something said to him in the back of his mind. Come to think of it, maybe that's why he loved the Burrow so much.
"Oh wow" Ginny said after a brief period of silence, "you really have changed, in a good way of course."
"Changed?" Harry scrunched up his face in confusion.
"You've become more open" she said approvingly "I guess I would never ask you take back the time you isolated yourself from everything. It did its part. And since you're being open, it's only fair that I return the favour. There are just a few things that have been nagging at me; I feel I should let you know."
"What there's more?" Harry feigned annoyance to which Ginny lightly smacked him on the arm.
"Feel lucky, you're catching me like this"
When Harry put up his hands as if surrendering, she grinned and continued, "I didn't thank you enough for that day of the match, I..." she put up a hand to stop Harry who opened his mouth as if to say something, but stopped, "that's the day I realized that I would never could get over you, even if I tried. That's the same day I broke up with Ernie. But that's not all, I think I know what I want to do after Hogwarts."
"Which is..."
"I wanna play Quidditch..."
"What?"
"Internationally" she completed as she shot him an excited grin.
"Gin...are you sure about this?"
"Yes! More than even and you made me realize it."
"Me?" he asked incredulously.
"Yes, you! Remember that move you showed me. It made me realize how much I love flying and it's what I want to do, professionally" she said excitedly. "What you think I'm being ridiculous?" her face fell as she caught him staring at her, "You think this is a stupid idea right, but-"
"No, I don't" he said with a warm look in his eye, "it's just I've rarely seen you so excited about anything else like that. I totally get it. The sneaking out for it, why you quit the team...it all fits...It makes total sense. It makes you happy, then go for it" he shrugged.
"Oh Harry!" she said as she briefly hugged him, "now that I told you this, I feel a relief. I can face my parents now, knowing that you're going to be on my side, even if they aren't. Right?"
"I'll try" he said mocking feebleness. They stood both reminiscing in the moment for a while before Harry broke it again, "hey notice how, no one from your family, even came in the vicinity of the kitchen."
"Yeah, I know" she said as she realized that as well, "hmm I wonder what that's all about."
"K, my take on this is, it might sound dumb and lame," Harry said as he cleared his throat "but I believe everyone is trying to get us together."
"Merlin, you felt that too?"
"Hell yes! From day one, the minute I entered Potions class and everyone left the seat next to yours for me and then that day at the common room before the weekend, when I got the letter from Andromeda. Remember that?"
"YES!" she exclaimed as she nodded, "and when you back to the burrow at lunch time and the marriage thing. Oh dear, I shouldn't have brought that up" she said as she covered her mouth, "it probably upsets you. Mother doesn't know when to..." she stopped when Harry began to shake his head.
"It's ok. It doesn't upset me, well not yet at least" he chuckled nervously, "it's bound to happen, just that I didn't think of yet and your mother made me think."
"Well forget it for now. I think we should head back, I wonder what they must be thinking about us right now."
They both grinned widely before exiting the room.
Harry woke up bright and early on Christmas morning. After quick shower and change of clothes, he hopped downstairs. Just as he was entering the kitchen he heard/saw Ron nagging, "Mo-om!!!"
"Ronald, you can- oh look Harry's here!"
"Merry Christmas guys!" To which they all, meaning Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley replied back. "What's going on?" he asked settling in the chair between Ginny and Ron. Ron was probably nagging his mother for breakfast or something.
"Mom here has our grades for first semester, but she wouldn't give them to us. They were owled last night" said Ron quite seriously.
Wait Ron wanted to see his grades?
"Don't be ridiculous Ronald; I was just waiting for Harry to come down here. So you can all see your grades together. So you kids ready?"
When they all nodded eagerly, she retrieved four mails from behind her back and reading the name on them gave them to their respective owners. Ron tore his open using his teeth, while in contrast Hermione opened hers using her wand. As Harry was pulling his open, his eyes caught Ginny who was muttering something under her breath and then kissed the envelope once before pulling it open as well. Harry for the first time ever wished he was that envelope.
He forced himself back to reality when he heard Ron's roar of approval. He pulled Ron's Grade report towards himself who was busy doing a kind of victory dance.
Care of Magical Creatures O
Herbology A
Advanced Potions E
"Oh wow Ron, you need only one more E or O" commented Harry.
"Yeah! And I'm gonna get that in Defense next semester, thanks to you."
Hermione had gotten an O on all of her courses, which made Harry realize he had in fact gotten the perfect gift for her. Ginny had gotten E on History of Magic, an O on Herbology and Advanced Potions.
"What about yours?" Hermione asked after Harry had inquired about everyone's grades.
"Oh" he said as he looked down at his unopened envelope.
"Go on. Open it" Ginny nudged him, encouraging him on.
He tried to still his hands as he opened it up. Everyone including Mrs. Weasley huddled closer. He went over it twice. He let out the breath he had been holding.
An A on History of Magic, E on Herbology and O on Care of Magical Creatures and Advanced Potions.
"Oh wow, Harry" said Ron with a mouth open, "I'm almost jealous. You passed your N.E.W.T.S level right here. Good for you."
"This calls for celebration!" said Mrs. Weasley excitedly as she retrieved 4 glasses and the left over butterbeer from the night before.
"Wow this is the first time; I've ever gotten an O on anything" commented Ron.
"That's it. I can't wait to open my gifts. I'm gone" said Ginny as she ran to the living room.
"Hold up, I'm coming with ya" said Ron as he hopped off his chair.
As soon as they were gone, George looked at Harry and Hermione and asked, "What are you waiting for? Christmas?"
The two chortled at the joke and followed him to the living room.
"Why the hell should we wait?" said Charlie and decided to follow suit.
"I would have really liked it, if Percy would have decided to join us."
"Mom, Percy is not going to come" said Bill
"The Ministry doesn't take Christmas holidays" said George doing a perfect imitation of Percy.
Before Harry could even take a step inside the living room, he heard Ginny give out a shriek and then rush outside and engulf him into the famous Weasley hug. Except this one got his heart racing, his eyes closed and his senses on high as he inhaled her scent in. He forgot everyone around him, as he pulled her in closer before someone (probably Ron) cleared their throat.
"Oh, sorry" he nervously yet reluctantly let go of her, who was red in the face, looking quite adorable. She took a step back and looked down at her jersey.
"I love it" she said as she grinned broadly.
It was a T-shirt of her favourite quidditch team, The Holyhead Harpies. Its dark green combined with her red hair made her look majestic, Harry wondered.
"When did you get this?" she said as she peered at his face.
"The same day we all went to get the Christmas presents."
"Wow that was really thoughtful of you, considering the conversation we had."
Harry shrugged as he blushed and looked down.
"What conversation?" inquired Ron.
"Never you mind" she said as she frowned at him.
"That's it. I'm opening Harry's gift first" said Bill as he began looking at the names on his gifts.
"Me too. Harry's gifts are always thoughtful" said Hermione.
"Me three" added George.
"Lets all open Harry's gift first" said Mr. Arthur.
"Oh...umm ok...if you must" Harry fumbled as everyone agreed.
The first gasp he heard was from Ron. "Is this what I think it is?" he asked in a disbelieving voice as he pulled the robe open. He looked at Harry his mouth agape. Harry smiled and nodded at him once.
"No way! This must have cost you a fortune, Harry" he said with an exuberant grin on his face as he pulled it on.
"What is it?" asked Hermione with a confused expression as she stopped midway into opening her wrapped gift.
"K fire a spell at me" Ron asked her.
"Err" she looked at Harry nervously who nodded at her encouragingly "Ookayy". She pulled out her wand.
"EXPELLIARMUS!"
"'Mione, love you can do better than that" Ron whined.
But she wasn't listening. The spell seemed to have dissolved as soon as it hit Ron's robe.
Ginny stood up purposefully. She aimed her wand at Ron and wordlessly muttered a spell, probably the Bat-Bogey Hex which was her speciality. The spell dissolved as well.
"Oh wow" she said, "that's truly something. How long will it work for?"
"About two hours or so I've been told" answered Harry.
"This will be so useful for my Auror training" Ron said excitedly as he went up to Harry and gave him props "Thanks Harry"
Bill and Fleur loved the baby book that Harry had gifted them and poured through its contents excitedly. Fleur opened Teddy's gifts for him and he was settled between all the toys that were gifted to him. He looked confused as to which toy to pick up first, which made Harry laugh and kiss him on the head. Charlie ruffled Harry's hair fondly when he discovered the vest that would protect him from dragon burns. George was busy rolling on the floor in laughter at the funny signs that Harry had given to stick up in his shop.
"Ahhh" Hermione shrieked out gleefully at the book that was open in her hand.
Harry turned to her, "I was waiting for that" he said. She had been reading it for a while now and he had been waiting for her to notice.
"I can't believe it. My name in a book" she shrieked as she held up the Brightest witches of every age until now.
It contained a picture of Hermione in the latest date and her profile along with her background and accomplishments.
"This has to be the best read ever" she said as she counted how many pages talked about her. She ran and hugged Harry tightly. He kissed the top of her head in a very brotherly fashion. She was the closest thing he could ever have to a sister.
"Oh look! Harry gave us a photo album" Arthur showed his wife.
"That reminds me, you should get the old camera fixed" said Molly sternly.
"No need" intervened Harry as he gestured to the gifts "you still didn't open my other gift to you".
Arthur pulled open the second present which revealed a brand new camera. "Oh wow. C'mon huddle up everyone. This calls for a Christmas family photo. Yes, you too Harry and Hermione" who hadn't made a move to get into the picture.
"Say Butterbeer" he yelled out before he ran to get into the picture as well.
Harry looked at all his presents. He loved each and every one of them. Ron and Hermione had put their money together and had gotten him a Penseive set. He was livid at the two at first for spending so much, but they calmed him down after a while, telling him again and again that his memories were an important thing for him to have and that it would prove quite useful to him.
Bill and Fleur had given him handsome dress robes. Arthur and Molly had given him a family clock just like their own. For now it had hand with Harry and another hand with Teddy's adorable face on it. Molly said it would be for when Harry would move into the Grimmauld Place, she showed him how to add hands into the clock.
The best of all and the most priceless gift that he liked was beyond a doubt, Ginny's. She had given him a miniature model of Hogwarts. Well not that miniature, but compared to the real thing it was small, but definitely was a little bigger than Harry's palm. "I brought home to you" Ginny had grinned at him "this way you'll never be away from home." Harry had loved the idea immensely. He didn't know how to show his affections to her entirely, so he disappointedly settled for hugging her awkwardly.
Now he was in his room or rather George's old room, fidgeting, wondering how to approach Ginny with the other part of her gift. He stood up with a huff and went down to her room. Her door was partly open.
Ginny really loved the jersey as she admired it in the mirror in her room. A soft knock broke her out of her reverie. She looked up to see Harry at her door. She blushed and nervously pulled on her shirt at being caught in front of the mirror.
"Hey" she said softly "Oh come in" she said as she invited him into her room. Her breath hitched as she remembered the last time he had been in the room.
"Sorry to barge in...But I wanted to give you the other gift" he said abashedly.
"My other...?" she asked as he put forth his hand that was behind his back all the while. In his hand was a small white box. She hesitated.
"Go on" he encouraged.
She took it from his hand and opened the lid. Inside was the most beautiful pendant she had ever laid eyes on. It was shaped in a sort of leaf, but that's not what made it beautiful. It was the brilliant dark green it radiated off when the light hit it.
"Oh my" she managed as she picked it off the box nimbly as if trying not to hurt it.
"Do you want to put it on?" Harry asked.
She nodded once and gestured towards the lock, "help?"
He turned her around slowly as he clasped it on, "do you know what that is?"
When she shook her head, he replied, "It's a juniper leaf" he said softly to her neck, making her get the chills down her spine, "it's the translation of the Italian word Ginevra".
The way he said her real name did her in. She never really liked her first name, but when he said it, it sounded like the most endearing thing ever. She turned around and without warning kissed him. He didn't respond for about two seconds probably because of the surprise but after a while he scooted closer to her and began to move his lips against her. Everything around them began to blur and fade except for her and Harry. She put her arms around his neck while he put his on her hips lightly as if trying not to hurt her. She didn't realize they had been moving backwards until Harry bumped against the edge of her bed and he pulled away from her.
"But Gin, we were supposed to wait. Weren't we?" Oh great! The noble and modest Potter steps in.
"Harry, what's it going to take you to realize that we aren't at war anymore? That we do have choices and that we go after what we want?"
"But..." he cupped her face in his hands and looked down at her as if she was the most beautiful and fragile thing ever.
"Or do you not want it anymore?" she interrupted.
"What? That's a load of crap and you know it. I couldn't possibly have gotten over you overnight" he grinned.
"Well then, you wouldn't mind this" she said coyly as he fell back on her bed taking her with him. She tilted his face towards her and kissed him again, giving and showing everything into the kiss. He pulled away once more, which really pissed her off, "What?"
"Umm the door" he said slowly, which was more than halfway open. Her wand was on the bedside table. Too far away. Instead she pulled out Harry's wand from his back pocket and waved it at the door closing it shut. She smiled at him cheekily for having known where he usually kept his wand.
When they broke apart for a breather after another session she whispered, "Screw waiting. You were right. When it comes to you, everything feels right. Everything makes sense."
Harry had just gotten off the train at the Hogwarts station when a voice called at him. Sickly sweet and fake. Harry groaned inwardly.
"Harry!"
Harry turned to face the annoyance. "Hi Romilda."
"How was your Christmas?"
"Fantastic"
"Oh I had a Christmas present for you."
Harry was just thinking of the one hundred ways to get away from this situation, when two arms came round his shoulder and neck.
"There you are" said Ginny fondly before leaning in and capturing his lips in hers. Time seemed to stop and everything around began to fade. She had her hand at the back of his neck. Harry knew at the back of mind that he was probably giving a big show to the people at the platform, but what the hell?
He brought up a hand to run it through her vibrant red hair, feeling it silkiness, he felt Ginny shiver a little at the touch. He didn't know he was capable of that, he smirked against her lips. Only when he began to get overly exited did he break apart from her.
She opened her eyes and grinned at him for having him lose his mind.
"Hmm what was that?" he asked.
She bit her bottom lip and said, "Just claiming what is mine". He raised his eyebrows at the comment, only finally noticing that Romilda had disappeared and he hadn't even seen her leave. He reached for her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. Mine. He smiled to himself. It sure felt good to belong to someone. They began walking to the threstle pulled carriage. Before they could get there, Ginny tugged at his hand and stopped.
"Err, Harry do you mind waiting for a minute. There's something I need to do" she said quite seriously.
"Sure" he said as he kissed her hand once before letting her go.
He watched her as she walked in the direction towards a staring Ernie.
"Hi Ernie"
"Hey" he said slowly and then cocked his head lightly towards Harry behind them, "so you figured it how eh?"
"Umm yeah" she said nervously "listen Ernie I just wanna say I'm sorry."
He shook his head with a sad smile curving his mouth, "You don't have to be sorry. It's not your fault. It was always him." Ginny looked down guiltily "from the beginning. Right?" He chuckled softly.
She looked back at him and couldn't help from grinning as well "yes, it was him from the beginning."
"Well then" he scoffed "he's one lucky bloke then. Merlin knows, the hero deserves it" he smirked.
"Thanks Ernie for being so understanding. I know this is gonna sound darn cliché, but I promise you, you're gonna find someone who's gonna be the lucky one to be with you" she said as she lightly touched his arm.
"Oh I really hope so, or I'm gonna die lonely and early" he laughed.
When Ginny reached a waiting Harry, he cupped her cheek with one hand and gave her a kiss that blew her mind.
"Now what was that?" she said as they broke apart, already knowing the answer.
"Just claiming what is mine" he said smirking to no tomorrow.
"Thanks for waiting" she said.
"No, thank you for waiting for me" he said seriously as he watched her.
She just hugged him wordlessly, knowing this time there wouldn't any more waiting forever.
As they climbed into the carriage, they almost jumped when they noticed Ron and Hermione already in there.
Ron glared at the two with if-you-must look in his eyes while Hermione just beamed at them.
The End
End notes: Wow I'm sorry for not hinting that I was going to end in this chapter...Anyhow this story is done...but I might start another one ...might be Ron/Hermione one...maybe a future harry/ ginny one....may be some Draco one....Anyhow I can't thank my reviewers enuff....I really hope did justice with this chapter....