My Turn

Kingsley Shacklebolt stands in the doorway of his new office. The walls are nearly bare as he had wasted no time in removing the rubbish that had been there previously. His desk sits laden with papers awaiting his attention; the usual reports for the Minister of Magic as well as, casualty reports, reports from St. Mungo's on the status of the many victims of the war, reports from Aurors hunting down Death Eaters, reports from Hogwarts, a request from the Gringotts Goblins seeking recompense for the destruction caused by Harry's last 'visit', and reports from all over the Wizarding World regarding recovery. He sighs and extinguishes the lights with a flick of his wand; the reports will be there in the morning. He shuts the door and strolls down the nearly deserted corridors of the Ministry, occasionally wishing someone a good night. He reaches the lifts and descends to the second level. Walking down to the last office, he knocks on the open door.

"Ahh Robards, I'm glad you're still here. Do you have a few minutes? I have a couple matters I would like to discuss with you."

"Of course, Minister," he says. "Please, come in."

Half an hour later, Kingsley leaves Gawain's office with four scrolls tucked into his robes, and heads back to the lifts. A minute later, the lifts rattle to a stop at the atrium and he steps out. He walks to the exit fires, steps in, says "The Burrow," and vanishes in a flurry of green flames.

Molly Weasley sits at the Burrow's scrubbed kitchen table, a now cold cup of tea in her hands. She looks up as green flames erupt in the fireplace and the tall figure of Kingsley Shacklebolt appears. He steps out into the kitchen and dusts himself off.

"Minister! I wasn't expecting you tonight," she says as she jumps up.

"Please Molly, there's no need for such formality here," Kingsley says. "I had some important matters to discuss with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, and I thought now would be as good a time as any – If that is all right with you?"

"Of course Kingsley, you're always welcome in our home," Molly says, "but I'm not expecting Harry and Ginny back for a few more hours."

"I know. To be honest, I could use the company of friends right now."

"Well, we're happy to have you. Would you like some tea?"

"That would be lovely, thank you," he says.

Molly sets about preparing a fresh pot of tea. "Arthur's in the sitting room with Percy, George, Ron, and Hermione. You're welcome to join them."

Kingsley nods and walks into the sitting room. Molly sets a tray with six cups and a plate of biscuits while she waits for the water to boil. Bits and pieces of the conversation float into the kitchen as she prepares the tea. Once the water boils, she levitates the tray and pot out into the sitting room.

"Have you heard anything about Lavender?" Hermione asks Kingsley.

"I had received an update from St. Mungo's just this morning," he says. "They say she is doing well. Madam Pomfrey has been in contact with them as it was she who treated Bill's wounds last year."

While everyone continues to talk, Molly sets the tray in the middle of the room, and pours hot water into the six cups before retreating back to the kitchen.

Harry and Ginny walk into the kitchen of Grimmauld Place for dinner, having deposited their earlier purchases in their rooms. The table is covered with an assortment of delicious foods; a roast, a couple mince pies, roast potatoes, assorted vegetables, and a scrumptious looking treacle tart. Kreacher shuffles into the room carrying a pitcher of pumpkin juice.

"Shoes off, if you please, Master and Mistress and hands washed before dinner," Kreacher calls over to them as he pours pumpkin juice into a couple goblets. Harry smiles at the familiarity. He and Ginny sit down at the table and tuck into the tantalizing array of food.

"That was excellent Kreacher," Harry says some time later after eating his fill.

"Yes, thank you Kreacher," Ginny adds then turns to Harry and he rises and collects his invisibility cloak. "Where to now?"

"It's a surprise," he says holding out his hand.

They walk up to the first floor and step out onto the top step of Grimmauld Place. Harry throws the cloak over them, takes Ginny's hand, and together they twist into oblivion. Harry opens his eyes, as his lungs fill with air again, and looks around. They stand on a familiar road, lined by cottages, by the edge of a small village. The glow of streetlights ahead mark the center of the little village. Harry marvels at how different everything looks now. A quick survey of their surroundings tells Harry that no one is watching and he removes the cloak.

"Where are we?" Ginny asks.

"You'll see – This way," he says as he leads her down the road and into the village, hand in hand. They follow the road as it curves to the left and reveals the village square, the large obelisk at its center illuminated by the lights from the surrounding buildings.

"Godric's Hollow?" Ginny asks.

Harry nods as they continue forward. They walk past the various shops and the little post office. They pass by the local pub where a rather boisterous celebration is in full swing and Harry easily guesses the occasion. Ginny stops suddenly as they near the war memorial.

"Harry…"

"I know," he says as he once again gazes up into his parents' faces.

After a few minutes, he tears his gaze away. He leads her from the memorial toward the church and the graveyard beyond. They reach the kissing gate and Harry pushes it open. He escorts her past row after row of tombstones. Occasionally Ginny sees a name she recognizes, but says nothing as they continue forward. Harry leads them between headstones until they finally reach a large, white marble stone. Ginny looks down at the beautiful tombstone of James and Lily Potter, a wilting wreath of Christmas roses resting against the stone, and squeezes Harry's hand.

"Hi Mum…Dad," he says, his voice thick with emotion. "I did it – I beat him – Riddle's dead, once and for all."

A couple tears splash on the ground and Harry's shoulders shake as he stands before his parents at the final end. "I wouldn't have been able to do it without knowing you were there – right beside me." He falls to his knees as his body is raked by sobs. "I miss you so much."

Ginny kneels down next to him and holds him as he cries, her own cheeks streaked with tears. They stay like that for what seems like hours. Finally, Harry's sobs subside, he pulls back, and looks at Ginny, then turns back to the graves.

"Mum, Dad…this is Ginny, Ginny Weasley. I wish you could be here to meet her. She's the most wonderful woman I've ever known," he says and turns to look her in the eyes, "and I love her."

Ginny smiles at him, and squeezes his hand. "I love you too, Harry."

"And if I'm unbelievably lucky, soon she'll be your daughter too."

Ginny's eyes widen as his words sink in. "Harry, are – are you asking…"

"You don't have to answer now," he adds quickly, "I mean – I know a lot's happened, we've both been through a lot, we haven't seen each other for almost a year. I don't even have a ri–,"

His blabbering gets cut short by a pair of lips pressing against his and a petite body tackling him backwards. He lands on his back, narrowly missing one of the neighboring tombstones as Ginny kisses him. She pulls back and looks at Harry; the same blazing look in her eyes that she had when they first kissed.

"Is that a 'Yes'?" he asks.

"Yes – yes – yes – a thousand times yes!" Ginny says, and punctuates each 'yes' with another kiss.

After a few minutes, and a bit more kissing, they get up off the ground and dust each other off. Harry turns back to his parents' grave. "I guess that's all for now. I promise to come back soon and tell you more. I love you Mum and Dad." He pulls out his wand, twirls it in the air, and creates a new wreath of roses. He sets it down next to Hermione's wreath. He takes one more look at his parents' resting place before turning way.

"Well, I suppose we should head back," he says.

Ginny wraps an arm around his waist, he puts an arm around her shoulders, and they leave the graveyard. They walk back toward the edge of town in a comfortable silence. When they reach the pub, however, Ginny stops.

"Wait here a minute," she says and dashes into the pub. She comes out a couple minutes later with an envelope in her hand. "Can I ask a favor?"

Harry raises his eye brows.

All is quiet now in the Burrow's sitting room, the occupants dwelling in their own thoughts. Kingsley sits in a chair by the fire, Arthur rests in the sagging armchair beside him, Ron and Hermione sit curled up in each other's arms on the couch, and George and Percy sit in the far corner, each nursing a glass of Ogden's finest. Molly walks into the room levitating a tea pot before her.

"Another cup of tea, Kingsley?" Molly asks.

Kingsley looks up and smiles. "Yes, thank you Molly," he says.

Molly returns the smile, half-heartedly, and refills his cup before disappearing back into the kitchen. Kingsley glances at the clock on the sitting room wall.

"I'm sure they'll be here any minute," Mr. Weasley says.

"I am in no hurry. Harry has more than earned a little time to himself, Arthur. I'm rather enjoying the rest myself," Kingsley says. "It has been non-stop at the Ministry. I can barely find my desk for all the papers upon it."

"How goes the search for any remaining Death Eaters?"

"As well as can be expected under the circumstances. Most were killed or captured in the final battle, but a few managed to escape. We believe they are seeking refuge abroad. I have been in contact with other Ministers, all over the world, to coordinate our efforts."

Mr. Weasley nods and the room falls back to silence. Suddenly a loud icrack/i shatters the calm, and everyone jumps drawing their wand. There, in the middle of the sitting room, stands Kreacher. He shuffles toward Mr. Weasley, seemingly unperturbed by the six wands pointed at him, and holds out a package wrapped in plain brown paper. At the same time, Mrs. Weasley rushes into the sitting room, her own wand drawn.

"Master Harry sends this for Mr. Weasley," he says.

Mr. Weasley places his wand back in his robes and takes the package. The first genuine smile in days lights up his face as he unwraps the package to reveal the book Beginners Guide to Airplanes and a note that reads 'To help with your dearest ambition'.

Without waiting for any kind of response, Kreacher walks over to Mrs. Weasley and holds out an envelope with 'Mum' written across the front. "Mistress Ginny sends this for Mrs. Weasley."

Mrs. Weasley takes the letter and reads it; a small smile tugs at the corners of her mouth.

"Sorry Kingsley, it looks like you won't be meeting with Harry tonight after all," she says and offers him the letter.

Kingsley takes the letter. It reads:

Hi Mum,

Harry's 48 hours are up. My turn!

Love,

Ginny

The End

Author's Note:

So there it is…this story is finally done (I think). Well first things first, a HUGE thank you to my wonderful beta Spenser Hemmingway, and my friends Dee and Doc for reading and offering suggestions. Secondly, many many thanks to you, my readers, for your patience. I know it's been quite some time since I updated this and for that I can only apologize. Life took me away from writing for a long time and I've only just now decided to pick the pen back up (or you know…sit at the laptop and type…whatever). I'm finding it difficult to start writing again, but I'm sure it will all come back to me. I really hope you all enjoyed this story. I hope to really get back into writing and increase my stories beyond two or three. I make no promises though as life has taught me that things rarely ever go according to the gorram plan.