Chapter 10 Letters
When the group arrived back at 12 Grimmauld Place, Moody bid everyone ‘Good Day’ and left. Harry and the rest were surprised to see that the entire house had been cleaned. Mrs. Black had even allowed her portrait to be cleaned. “Winky…Dobby, you didn’t have to clean the whole house in one day!” Harry boomed.
“No problem Harry Potter, sir. There wasn’t really a lot of work for two House Elves to do, especially since Mrs. Black helped. Dobby and Winky also decorated the first floor as per the notes Mrs. Tonks left on the table, sir.”
Tonks jerked into speech, “You already decorated the rooms? This I got to see!” She left in a hurry and was back in a few minutes. “Dobby…Winky, the rooms are beautiful, but why didn’t you decorate your room?”
“Mrs. Tonks didn’t leave any instructions for that room,” Dobby sputtered.
Tonks explained, “But, Dobby, that is yours, Winky, and Nancy’s room. You can decorate it as you want to!”
Winky spoke up, “Winky told Dobby that Mrs. Tonks wouldn’t mind, but Dobby didn’t listen.”
Tonks smiled, “That’s okay, Winky. All males are hardheaded.”
“Dobby, surely you didn’t buy the supplies out of your own Galleons?” Harry said concerned.
“No Harry, sir. Dobby went to see Grorn and Grorn told Dobby what to do.”
“Oh, thank you, Dobby and Winky, for the great job.” Harry then requested, “I would like you, Winky, and Nancy to come with us to the Burrow later for the congratulatory party they are having for passing our Apparate tests.”
“Yes Harry Potter, sir.”
“How does he know about the party,” Ron said to Ginny and Hermione.
“Come on. This is Harry,” said Ginny.
“Probably this morning when we didn’t give him any presents,” said Hermione.
Dobby stated, “Harry Potter, sir. Mrs. Black would like to tell sir how to restore the tapestry.”
Harry and the rest went out to the hall and greeted Mrs. Black. Mrs. Black informed Harry that she would like to stay in the hall, instead of the room so she could watch and greet the people entering and leaving the house. Harry told her that would be fine. She then told Harry the long and complicated incantation to restore the tapestry. Harry thanked her and they went up to the room where it was hanging. Harry looked at Tonks, “Tonks, would you like to do the honors?”
Tonks looked just like she had been hit with a stunning spell until Remus caught her and held her until she was steady. With a loud and proud voice, she recited the incantation. The change was remarkable, starting at the top, if was like going from night to day. As the line passed down, worn out threads were replaced with new, the color restored to their original brightness, and the holes were filled in with the missing names.
The first name he found was a Tonks. A new name and thread had been added showing her marriage to Remus. Harry immediately looked for Sirius’ name, right beside his brother, now with a birth and death date. Ginny put her arms around Harry and squeezed him tightly. “I wish he was here to see this,” Harry said as he wiped the tears away.
“He is, Harry. He is,” she said to him. Nobody had a dry eye. Harry and Ginny broke away and slowly went down to the kitchen. Dobby and Winky had prepared an afternoon tea for them. It was mainly eaten in silence.
Everyone drifted off to their own rooms after the tea. Harry and Ginny spent the time lying on the bed just holding each other. Harry and Ginny both were startled awake when Dobby came to inform them it was time to go to the Burrow.
The Burrow was suspiciously quite when they Apparated to the front gate. Just to see what would happen, Harry suggested they go to the orchard for a quiet night of star gazing. Ginny tried to show an angry face but her eyes were laughing, as she grabbed Harry’s hand and pulled him to the front door. When Ginny had pushed the door open enough for it swing open by itself, Harry spun Ginny around and kissed her hard just in time for everyone inside the Burrow to get a eyeful of them kissing.
“Harry, that was mean. Now I have to wait at least a couple of hours before we can finish that kiss!”
“You’re so beautiful, Ginny, and I love you.”
Harry finally walked through the door. Harry had it right, not only was there a sign saying ‘Good Job” Ginny, Ron and Harry but one wishing him a ‘Happy Birthday’ as well. All the Weasley’s except the Git were there, as well as Fleur, Angelina, Alicia, Luna and Neville. When Harry was able to get Neville alone for a few minutes, he asked him what was up with him and Luna. He told him that they started going out after the funeral.
Several hours later, Ginny and Harry were sitting around the table with Ron and Hermione and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Once again they brought up the subject of the Fidelius Charm. When Ginny asked her Mum to be the ‘secret keeper’, she became very still and quiet. For a long time, nothing was said. She took a deep breath and asked, “Arthur, should I?”
“Yes, Molly,” Mr. Weasley confirmed.
“Alright, Ginny. I’ll do it.”
“Harry, I’m going up to bed. Please don’t come up for about twenty minutes.”
I’m so tired. I don’t know if a can wait that long!” Harry joked.
Ginny laughed, “I’ll try to hurry, then.”
“No need. I will wait forever if you want me to!”
“Just twenty minutes,” Ginny insisted.
When Harry was finally allowed upstairs, he opened the door to find the room empty. Ginny had set out candles that gently floated on the breeze coming from the open window. Hedwig had already left for the night. Ginny then came through the door wearing a robe of green satin with golden snitches sewn all over it. “Harry, go take a shower, quickly.” Ginny had laid out a new robe and pajamas for him in the bath.
When Harry came back, he found a small table for two with a bottle of malted mead and a simple dinner. Ginny was sitting at the table waiting on him. Ginny smiled at Harry as he sat down, “Happy Birthday, Harry.”
“You are beautiful, Ginny.”
Ginny giggled, “You say that to all the girls.”
“No, just you and Hedwig,” Harry deadpanned.
“So I rate right up there with your owl now, huh, Mr. Potter,” Ginny said with a little feint of anger.
“Ginny, Hedwig will always be my first girl, but you will always be my best girl,” Harry said seriously.
“Oh.”
Harry leaned over and kissed Ginny gently on the forehead, then the tip of her nose, and last on her lips. Ginny poured some mead into two glasses. Harry barely sipped at the mead, noticing Ginny didn’t drink much of hers either. As a matter of fact, they didn’t really eat much either.
Ginny stood up and slowly removed her robe while Harry could only stare at her until she walked into his arms.
Just as everyone was finishing lunch Thursday, Molly pulled a letter from her apron. “Harry dear, I received a letter from Grorn this morning while you and Ginny were in the garden.” She handed the letter to Harry who opened it and held it so Ginny could read it too.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley,
This letter is in reference to the Trust Fund set up by Mr. James and Mrs. Lily Potter for their son, Mr. Harry James Potter. As that Mr. Harry James Potter has reached legal age and is now in possession of his family funds, this Trust Fund has been dissolved. As per the instructions of the Trust Fund, the remaining balance of 5,001,486 Galleons has been transfer to Mr. Arthur and Mrs. Molly Weasley without any obligations or specifications.
Gringotts looks forward to serving you in the management of these funds. If you will stop by later this week, I would like to discuss with you some investment opportunities and some other options to best enhance these funds.
At your service,
Grorn
When Harry and Ginny finished reading the letter, Harry handed it to Hermione after getting a silent consent from Molly. Ron was reading the letter over Hermione’s shoulder.
“Harry, we can’t take all those Galleons. You take them back. You and Ginny are going to need them,” declared Molly.
“Mum, they belong to you and Arthur. I will not take them back. Besides, Ginny and I have all the Galleons we will ever need.”
Molly sighed, “But what do I do with all those Galleons?”
Hermione adventured, “Does Arthur know about the letter yet?”
“No. It came after he left for work.”
Hermione recommended, “Why don’t you get with Arthur and go see Grorn and find out what he suggests.”
“Right, I think we will do that,” Molly finally agreed.
Harry just had to do it, “You know Mum, this makes the Weasley family one of the richer families in England.”
“Yes. So?” Molly quizzed.
“Appearances have to be maintained. I mean, what would the Malfoy’s think?” Harry was able to dodge the towel thrown by Molly but Ginny’s fist landed firmly on his arm.
Harry threw up his hands, “Okay, okay, bad joke,” as he then started rubbing his arm.
Saturday found the four sitting at the kitchen table when a lone tawny owl delivered a letter to Ginny. Everyone recognized it at once with the Hogwarts seal on the front. “Why are you getting O.W.L.S. results when you didn’t take any?” Ron said.
Ginny handed it to Harry. “You open it.”
Harry tore it open and laid the letter so everyone could read.
Mrs. Potter,
Due to the sad events at the end of last term, you were unable to take your O.W.L.S., so the school governors in conjunction with the Ministry of Magic have awarded you based on your class grades nine ‘O’, and one ‘E’. The actually grades are listed on page 2. If you disagree with these results, please contact Deputy Headmaster Flitwick about actually taking the tests.
We are pleased to announce that due to the extra work you put in during the summer and at the recommendation of no less than three of your professors, we will allow you to be considered a seventh year student this year. You will have to take a double class of Potions if you decide to accept this course.
Please send us an owl with your decision soon.
Professor Flitwick
Deputy Headmaster
“I need to think about this!” Ginny declared as she went out the front door and headed for the orchard. Harry followed behind her and found her sitting at the base of a tree. He sat down next to her and just waited.
“What do you think, Harry?” Ginny said in a small voice.
“I’m probably being selfish, but I want you to do it. Look at what you did earlier this summer. You took a year of schooling, crammed it into basically four weeks, and caught up with us three. I know you can do it and I want you to do it, but the choice is yours to make,” Harry said calmly. Ginny leaned over, laid her head down in his lap, and just thought about it. Harry slowly stroked her hair.
Ron broke into the silence, “Harry, Mum said to tell you and Ginny that dinner is ready.”
“Okay, Ron,” Harry replied.
“Ginny, are you hungry?” Harry whispered.
Ginny answered in a hazy voice, “No, Harry.”
“Ron, we are going to stay out here for a little while longer. Just tell Mum you couldn’t find us,” Harry said to Ron.
“Okay.”
The stars were blinking into existence when Ginny spoke again. “Harry, why are we, me, being pushed so hard?”
Harry was dumbfounded because that was not the question he was expecting. “I don’t know, Honey. I am so sorry about rushing into the marriage. I don’t want you to feel that I wouldn’t have waited.”
Ginny sat up at these words, “Harry, I didn’t rush into marrying you. I have always known that we would be together. It was you that got rushed; you only had four weeks to think about it. No Harry. It is all this training, wanting me to skip a year so we can be together. I’m starting to think like you. Someone is not allowing us to make our own choices again about our future and I believe it is Dumbledore. Harry, I think its time we have a talk with the Order. But in the mean time, I have a letter to write.”
Professor Flitwick,
I accept my O.W.L.S. results and to be classified as a seventh year.
Ginevra Potter
Ginny looked at the last line, Wow, I like seeing that name! Ginny tied the letter to Hedwig and stroked her neck. Hedwig flew out the window and Ginny went downstairs to the rest of the family. Mum was holding the Hogwarts letter. “Ginny, what are you going to do about this?”
“Nothing, Mum. I’ve already answered it. This is my last year at Hogwarts.” Everyone was surprised, even Harry who was expecting that answer. Ginny sat down next to Harry and held his hand. Harry knew that the row was just getting ready to start.
Harry tenderly asked, “Ginny, are you sure you want to do this?”
“Yes, Harry,” Ginny answered with more confidence.
“Then we are ready to back you up,” Harry declared.
“Mum, who is the new leader of the Order?” Ginny asked. Both Molly and Arthur went silent at these words.
Molly reported, “Well, Minerva is the temporary leader right now?”
Ginny then demanded, “Why is she only the temporary leader?”
Mrs. Weasley actually looked at a lost for words, “The membership hasn’t decided to…the person everyone wants hasn’t…”
Mr. Weasley announced, “They membership doesn’t feel she is the correct person for the job. She even knows she isn’t the person for the job.”
Ginny commanded, “Who is the correct person and why hasn’t he taken the job?”
“He hasn’t come forward yet,” Mrs. Weasley sputtered.
“How many members know about the Prophecy?” Ginny asked fiercely.
“All the members were recently told about it,” Arthur said quietly.
“I don’t believe it. They are waiting for you to come forward and take over as the leader,” gasped Ron.
“Not just me. I can’t and I won’t do this alone,” Harry declared to the three.
“Mum, we think it is time for the Order to have a meeting with us,” Ginny declared.
Molly cringed, the words she had been dreading for the past seven years since she was first told of the Prophecy, and how Dumbledore had envision her role in Harry’s development from that first day on platform 9 ¾, had finally been spoken. Arthur reached over to his wife and held her hand, which was trembling. “Yes, Ginny.”
Two days later, Harry, Ginny, Hermione, and Ron were sitting in the dining room of 12 Grimmauld Place. Also in attendance were Minerva, Shacklebolt, Tonks, Remus, Moody, Molly, Arthur, Bill, and Flitwick. Minerva asked for everyone attention and turn to Ginny, “All right, Ginny. You asked for this meeting.”
Ginny asked, “Is this the executive committee?”
Minerva answered, “No, Ginny. These are just the people who could make this meeting without causing suspicion. There is no ‘executive’ committee. We are all equal.”
Ginny said with pride in her voice, “We, Hermione, Ron, Harry, and I would like to join ‘The Order of Phoenix’ in its fight against Voldemort.”
Minerva said with pride herself, “The Order of Phoenix accepts you. Was there something else?”
Ginny looked at her and said, “We would like to know why a permanent leader hasn’t been appointed?”
Minerva answered evenly, “He hasn’t come forward yet.”
Arthur reached under the table and grabbed his wife’s hand knowing what was about to happen. Her hand was already trembling.
Harry gripped Ginny’s hand harder, “I, Harry James Potter, wish to be the leader of ‘The Order of Phoenix’, Minerva!”
Arthur felt Molly jump and felt her holding back the tears he knew would be running in buckets later.
Minerva spoke with a heavy, but proud heart, “Harry, ‘The Order of Phoenix’ accepts you as the new leader.”
Harry, gaining confidence from the response continued, “Minerva, everyone knows my role in this war. I will not and cannot accomplish this without my wife, my brother, and my sister beside me.”
Molly finally could not contain her emotions and broke down. No one looked at her for at that moment a Phoenix popped into existence, landing on the table in front of Harry. “Fawkes?” a puzzled Harry said. Fawkes then hopped up onto Harry’s shoulder and made himself at home. Everyone at the table was mildly stunned, but no more so than Harry.
Harry, slowly coming out of a daze, informed the group, “Minerva, I would like you to continue to be the main contact with the Order members and us. It would be highly suspicious if we started receiving lots of owls.”
“Okay, Harry.” Minerva accepted.
“Professor Flitwick, Mum…Molly has agreed to be the ‘secret keeper’ for the Order. Will you perform the Fidelius Charm on her tonight?
“Yes, Mr. Potter. Right after the meeting,” Professor Flitwick answered in his squeaky voice.
Harry looked at Ginny who took over again, “Minerva, who is charge of rebuilding Godric’s Hollow?”
“Remus and Bill. Why Ginny?” she said flatly.
“I assume that its location is being protected by the Fidelius Charm, too?” Ginny said. Minerva nodded. “Who is the secret keeper for Godric’s Hollow?” Ginny commanded.
Minerva said, “I do not know, Ginny.”
“I am, Ginny,” Mrs. Weasley said through some sniffles.
“Harry…We wish to visit his parent’s graves to put…,” Ginny stopped because Mrs. Weasley was openly crying into her husband’s shoulder. The second thing she had been dreading for the past seven years was just spoken, and this one was the worst.
“Harry…Ginny, I’m so sorry, but their bodies…I mean…” Remus seemed to get control of himself, “Harry, when the house was destroyed, there was no bodies left to be buried.”
Ginny quickly grabbed Harry and held him tight. From a distance, he heard Remus continue, “We are putting a memorial up on the grounds, but it is not ready yet.”
Hermione whispered, “I think that will be all for tonight.”
The next two weeks passed very slowly for Harry and Ginny. Harry never went into deep depression mainly because Ginny, with Hermione and Ron’s help, wouldn’t let him. The three kept assuring the Weasley’s and the Lupin’s that he was fine, just doing some thinking. Molly began to suspect something more was between the four when she caught them in the living room having what appeared to be a lively conversation, but no words were being spoken. She even saw Harry grin and laugh a couple of times.
The next morning, Harry came bounding down the stairs, finding Molly in the kitchen. He gave her a huge tight hug and even bigger kiss on the cheek, then said, “Where’s Ginny?”
“She is out in the garden. Are you hungry?” she said happily.
“Yes, starved,” as he took off out the door.
Ginny saw Harry in her mind coming towards her and turned around just in time for him to collide with her that ended in a tight embrace and many, many kisses. “Have I told you that I love you, lately?”
“Actually, no, it’s been about twelve days,” she mumbled through the kisses.
“I didn’t notice any unusual bruises this morning, are you going soft in your old age…Oh Merlin, Ginny, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I have no excuse for missing your birthday,” Harry pleaded.
Ginny saw Harry start back towards a depressive mood and said rather sharply, “Harry James, don’t even think about it. I forgive you, but you will have to make it up to me. I want a quiet dinner for two somewhere other than The Leaky Cauldron.”
“Okay, Hogsmeade?” Ginny shook her head. “Go to a Muggle restaurant?” Ginny nodded. I have never been to a Muggle restaurant. The Dursleys never took me to one and all the other places I know are in the magical world.”
“There is one in the village here. Luna was telling about it. We can go tonight. I sent Hedwig to Grorn asking for some Muggle money and Hermione has been coaching me on what to do. I even bought you a suit and me a dress. Security has been arranged too.”
Harry breathed a big sigh, “Wow, okay.”
It was past midnight before the couple came back to the Burrow. They skipped breakfast and only came down when Ron called and said their school letters had arrived. Ron and Hermione were already reading their letter when Harry and Ginny arrived. Hermione and Ron’s faces were drained of all color. Harry quickly looked over his letter, just the same letter he received for the past six years. Harry looked over at Ginny, and then asked, “What’s wrong?”
Hermione said with a sorrowful pitch, “I’m not a Prefect anymore.” Ron simply nodded.
Just at that moment, two large barn owls flew in and deposited two packages, one address to Ron and Hermione and the other to Ginny and Harry. Ginny opened theirs to find an album with their weddings photographs from Colin. “I didn’t even know he was there,” Harry said trying to cheer the two up.
Once again, four owls flew into the room, a letter from Hogwarts for each of them. All the letters stated the same thing. Due to Professor Lupin having to be absent during the full moon, the four of them have been chosen to conduct his classes while he is away from the school. Professor Lupin has already prepared his lesson plans for the year and you will only have to follow them.
The letters went on to explain that due to the extra work load this will be placing on you, your Prefect badges are being exchanged for these ‘Guest Staff’ badges. You will still have all the privileges and authority as a Prefect. Also, for the period that they were teaching, they would not be responsible for any written work, but all practical work had to be done. The letters lightened the mood considerably.
At lunch, Ginny was telling Ron, Hermione, Molly, Arthur, Remus, and Tonks about their date in the village. Ginny was really getting into the story, “Everything was going okay until we were seated in the restaurant. That waiting person…’waiter’, yes, him, asked us what we wanted to drink. Harry told him butterbeer, the waiter person then asked again, and again Harry tells him butterbeer. So he leaves and brings back these two glasses with the white stuff floating on top. Harry and I both pick up our drinks and when we are just about to take a drink, we smelled this awful odor. We threw our glasses away thinking something was wrong with the drink. That waiter person comes back over and wants to know what’s wrong. Harry again tells him we wanted butterbeer. That waiter person then says, ‘That’s what you got, sir. beer.’ Harry then asks him to bring some pumpkin juice. The waiter person tells Harry they don’t have that. Finally, Harry tells him water.”
Hermione was crying from laughing so hard. Everyone else saw the humor, but not as much as Hermione did.
Ginny continued, “Then, the waiter person hands us menus like at the ball, and Harry reads his, looks at his plate and says ‘pork chops’ and nothing happens. This waiter person comes to the table and asks if we are ready to order. Harry tells him he did, but nothing happen. What you want to order, sir, he says and Harry tells him pork chops. He asks me and tell him that would be fine with me too. Twenty minutes later Harry is getting really mad when the food finally arrives he asks what took so long. The waiter person tells him they had to cook the food.”
Hermione was really crying now, “Harry, you should have taken Muggle Studies.”
Harry defended himself, “It is not my fault the Dursleys never took me to a Muggle restaurant before.”
Ginny, giggling herself now continued, “This is the best part. I sent Hedwig to Gringotts for some Muggle money. When she got back, I just handed the Muggle money to Harry and he put it in his pocket without looking at it. So when we were ready to leave, Harry pulls out the Muggle money and hands a bill to the cashier. She looks at it and gives it back, saying that they can’t accept foreign money. Harry looks at it then gets red in the face. “I asked him what’s wrong and he tells me…, what was that Harry?”
“They were thousand Pound notes,” Harry answered with a small giggle himself.
“Yes, that’s it. Harry looks at the Muggle money and shows me that every one of them is the same. Harry calls for the manager, tells him that is all he has. The manager looks at the Muggle money and says that he has only ever seen pictures of them before. So he calls a banker friend, who shows up, and tells the manager that they are real. The manager tells Harry that he doesn’t have change for that big a note and Harry just tells him to keep the change. I thought Harry had used a stunning spell on him by the look on his face. We left and spent the rest of the night just walking and talking.
Hermione had stopped laughing because her side was hurting every time she took a breath. The rest of the table just didn’t think the story as funny as she did.
A/N Chapter 11 Hogwarts