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Author: Zelthian Story: Understanding Love Rating: Teens Setting: Pre-DH Status: Completed Reviews: 26 Words: 10,999
Harry didn't know how long he paced before the door opened, but it couldn't have been long. The light in the room revealed the face of Remus Lupin, and behind him the unmistakable bright pink hair of Nymphadora Tonks. Harry had not expected them to be standing there, but at first was thankful. He was about to find out his relief was not well founded; as Remus stepped in the room and Harry could see him better, he realized Remus was furious. Tonks followed him in and gently closed the door. "Remus?" "How could you?" Remus said in apparent shock and disbelief. Harry blinked. "You can't fool me, Harry. I know how you feel about Ginny, and I know how she feels about you." Harry shook his head in frustration. "Not you, too." Harry could see the fury building in Remus, and for the first time he found himself afraid of him. "Easy, Remus," Tonks said, taking his arm and stroking it. "You're actually going to stand there and let Ginny suffer like that?" Remus bellowed. Harry tried to be brave. "I don't have a choice." Remus's body shook in disbelief. "Sweet Merlin, Harry, have you learned NOTHING?" Harry hung his head. "Look at me!" Lupin demanded. Harry looked back up slowly. "What am I?" Remus asked in a voice that demanded an answer. "A werewolf." "Yes, Harry, a werewolf. And who is this by my side?" Harry glanced over, then back. "Tonks." "And why is she here?" Harry only had to think for a moment. "Because she loves you." "Close," Remus bellowed. "But not good enough." Harry thought for another moment, and the sheer simple obviousness of it slammed into him. "Because you love each other." Remus stepped forward and grasped Harry's shoulders tightly. "People who love each other are meant to be together," he said, a sense of desperation in his voice. "This is the strongest magic of all, Harry. Dumbledore tried as hard as he could to get you to understand this." He hung his head. "You and me both." Tonks walked over and put her hands on Remus's shoulders, a smile on her face. Remus looked back up at Harry. "Ginny can not make it through this time without you. Already her strength is failing her. I saw it tonight, and I think you did too. She may think she can be strong enough, but without support from you, she will fall apart. Look what happened to Tonks; you saw how it affected her this last year. Do you want the same thing to happen to Ginny?" Harry shook his head immediately. "I'm amazed she has made it this long, especially with the atmosphere of the wedding around her. She is a remarkable young woman, Harry. She needs to be with you, and you need to be with her." "I don't want her to get hurt," Harry said, his voice betraying his fear. "I know you don't," Remus assured him. "I don't want Tonks to get hurt, either, but we're together, right?" Harry nodded. "I felt like you did, Harry. I knew Tonks would be in danger every full moon when I transformed. What I came to realize is that it was more important for us to be together than it was to for me to try to protect her. You can't control everything that happens to you in life, you can only try to make the best of what you have. Bill and Fleur reminded us of that, and you would do well to take heed of their lesson." Tonks put one hand on Harry's shoulder. "You love her, don't you?" Harry nodded. "Yes, I do." There was a knock on the door, and it opened to reveal Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. "Come in Arthur, Molly," Remus said as he took a step back. Harry wasn't sure why there were here, but he felt just a little uncomfortable about it given the subject they were discussing. Remus didn't seem phased at all. "Everything all right here?" Mr. Weasley asked. Mrs. Weasley looked concerned, but kept her gaze on Harry. "Yes, I think so. We were just discussing Harry's… situation," Remus revealed. Mr. Weasley nodded, then he too turned to Harry. "Harry, you of course understand we love Ginny very much." Harry nodded. "Of course." "We want the best for her in every way." Harry nodded again. "The best thing for her right now is to hear how you feel about her." Harry took a deep breath. "Mr. Weasley sir, if Ginny and I get together, it would mean that Voldemort…" Mr. Weasley cut him off. "We know, Harry, and we don't care." "You don't?" Harry blurted out quickly. "No," Mr. Weasley said. He motioned to Mrs. Weasley who brought out something from behind her back. Harry recognized it as their special clock. All nine hands were still pointed at 'Mortal Peril'." "As you can see, Harry, Ginny is still in Mortal Peril, even though you left her," Arthur revealed. "We're all in mortal danger, whether you and Ginny are together... or not." Harry looked at the clock, confused. "I don't understand." "You can't protect Ginny by distancing yourself from her, Harry," Remus said. "Just like I can't protect Tonks." Standing there, gazing at the clock, Harry finally understood. The beast roared in triumph inside his chest as the weight of it all flowed off of him. He sat on the bed and put his face in his hands as he contemplated his next move. "One more thing, Harry. You know what you have to do. Don't wait. The sooner you talk to her, the better." Harry nodded. "I'll be right down." He watched Mr. and Mrs. Weasley leave followed closely behind by Remus and Tonks. He collected his thoughts and took a few deep breaths, counting backwards from ten. Steeling his nerve, he walked out of the room, down the steps and out into the field where the dancing was still going strong. He looked around for Ginny but didn't see her. He found Hermione and, after several moments, caught her eye. She immediately looked around and after a moment pointed towards the stage. Ginny was on the stage with the twins, apparently trying to decide on another song. Harry hurried up to the stage and walked over to Ginny. "Hi, Harry, any requests?" she asked sweetly. "Yes. I need to talk to you," he said over the music. Ginny smiled. "I don't know that one, Harry, who sings it?" "It's not a song, Ginny," he said, his eyes boring into hers. "I need to talk to you. Please." A look of surprise flashed on Ginny's face, but was gone in an instant. Harry held out his hand to her. Looking concerned, she took his hand and let him help her down off of the stage. He didn't let go; instead he led her around the stage and back towards the house. As soon as they were in, he closed the door behind them and led her to the family room where he sat her down, then sat down next to her. "Ginny, there are some things I need to tell you." "Oh, like what?" Ginny said too casually. "Everything," Harry said with a sigh. "About Voldemort, and Dumbledore, and…" "The Horcruxes?" Ginny asked, looking right at him. Harry started. "How did you…?" "Ron and Hermione told me." Harry blinked. "But they weren't supposed to tell anyone." "I know. I forced it out of them." "You did what?" Harry said in surprise. Ginny smiled. "Trust me Harry, I have my ways of dealing with Ron and Hermione." Harry pushed this out of his mind. What he was trying to grasp was the extent of Ginny's knowledge. "So you know…" "Yes, I know about the prophecy, and I know where you went with Dumbledore, and I know exactly what you have to do now, and I know why you did what you did at the funeral." Harry took a deep breath. "Look, about that…" "I'll wait for you, Harry," she said immediately. "However long it takes." Harry looked into Ginny's eyes. "Why?" "Because," she said, lifting a hand to his face, "I love you." Harry looked at her hand and took it into his. "I don't want you to wait." For the first time Ginny's face filled with fear. "Why not?" Harry looked into her eyes again. "Because I need you now." The fear left her face instantly, replaced with wonder, and excitement. "You need me?" "Yes," he replied. "It took a lot for me to realize it, but I finally understand that now. I need to be with you." "Why?" Ginny asked, her voice barely a whisper. "Because I love you too." A tear welled up in her eye. "You do?" Harry nodded. "Remus said he realized something in the hospital wing last month. He realized that people who love each other need to be with each other. Dumbledore tried to tell me that too. And now I understand what he was saying." Ginny sniffed and wiped the tear from her eye. Harry stopped her and wiped it with his own hand. He marveled at how good this simple gesture made him feel, giving comfort and affection in the simplest way to the young woman he loved. Ginny lunged for him and hugged him tight, crying into his neck. "I tried to be strong, Harry. I wanted to be strong for you, but I was going crazy. I wanted so many times to grab you and hug you, just to hold you close one more time." "I know, Ginny," Harry comforted. "I felt the same way. You don't have to wait anymore. I can't be away from you. I need you." "I need you too," Ginny replied, still holding tightly to his neck. Just then another song started outside. Ginny sat up and listened a moment before she stood up and pulled Harry up with her. "Dance with me?" she asked, almost pleading. Harry smiled and ran his hand through her hair. "Absolutely." Ginny smiled, and finally it was a genuine smile, one that made Harry feel alive and nervous at the same time. He offered Ginny his arm, and she took it readily as he led her outside and into the dance area. There he turned to face her, and she put both arms back behind his neck as she had before. Harry smiled as he placed his hands around her waist, and together they danced the entire song as close to each other as they dared. Harry scanned the crowd every once in a while, catching approving looks from everyone he saw, including Mrs. Weasley. Most of the time, though, he was content to look into Ginny's eyes, allowing himself to get lost in her gaze, enjoying the sensation of her playing with the hair on the back of his neck, her smile melting his heart. A few minutes in, she smiled wide and laid her head back on his chest like she had before, and this time he was glad she did. He wondered how he had made it this far without someone like Ginny in his life, and he fully understood what everyone was trying to tell him. Now that he had her back, he was certain he never wanted to let her go again. Eventually the song ended, and Ginny pulled her head off of Harry's chest and in one smooth motion pressed her lips against his. Harry let the kiss happen, oblivious to the people around him, much like he had in the Gryffindor common room during their first kiss. Ginny came up a little quicker than he would have liked, but given the situation he understood. What he didn't expect was that all the people who had talked to him came up to him and Ginny to give them a hug and their congratulations. Ron and Hermione were first, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Tonks and Remus, Charlie, and finally Bill and Fleur. The only person who didn't look particularly pleased was Gabrielle, but she was content to talk to Fleur who seemed to be pointing out the other boys who were watching her. Harry and Ginny danced together the rest of the night and enjoyed it immensely. Nobody tried to cut in. Finally a car arrived decorated with flowers and other decorations, and everyone crowded around Bill and Fleur. Fleur sat in a chair, and Bill traced his hands up one of her legs and returned with something that reminded Harry of an armband. "What is that?" Harry asked. "That's the garter. Bill's going to throw it. Tradition holds whatever guy catches the garter will be the next to be married." Harry got a wicked grin on his face as he pulled out his wand. "You don't say." Harry scanned the crowd as Bill readied the garter. Harry barely found what he was looking for before Bill sent it flying. Harry flicked his wand and, as planned, the garter landed right on top of Ron's head. Everybody laughed as Ron's ears went red. Hermione walked over to him, grabbed the garter and gave him a long, appreciative kiss, much to the delight of the crowd. Harry turned to see Ginny looking at him with an amused look on her face. "You couldn't resist, could you?" "Seemed only fair after what she did for him at Quidditch tryout." Harry shrugged. Ginny smiled as she let go of Harry. "I'll be right back." "Where are you going?" Harry asked. "The bouquet is next!" she cried as she ran off to join the large crowd of young women gathering in front of Fleur. Fleur looked delighted as she turned her back to the crowd and tossed the flowers into the air. Harry watched as they flew in an arc and, long before he expected, fell into the hands of some lucky witch. Harry's heart skipped as he realized Hermione had picked Ginny up and, now taller than anyone else, had an easy time snatching the bouquet out of the air. There was a cheer of laughter and roaring applause as Hermione let Ginny down. Ginny's face was red but she made her way back to Harry who had also begun to blush. She pulled him into a hug and kissed him sweetly. Shortly thereafter the twins made their way through the crowd handing out bags of what looked like large grains of rice. Before Harry could ask what there were for, Ginny was pulling him in front of the rest of the crowd where Bill and Fleur were making their way towards the car. Ginny motioned for him to open his bag, and as she did she reached in and grabbed some of the rice, readying it in her hand. Harry did the same, waiting for what to do. He didn't have to wait long. Bill and Fleur began to make their way through the crowd, and everyone began throwing the rice at them. Harry joined in and realized that the rice popped and turned into little floating hearts whenever it hit something. Finally Bill and Fleur made it to the car and it sped off. Harry could make out Bill and Fleur waving as they left. "That was beautiful," Ginny said to Harry as she put her arm around his waist. Harry turned put his hand around her waist and said, "Not as beautiful as you." Ginny squeezed Harry appreciatively. "Come on, time to help clean up." * * * Later that night, after the decorations had be torn down, the chairs had been stacked, and the tables taken down and arranged neatly in the yard, Harry and Ginny sat together playing Exploding Snap in the family room while Hermione tried desperately to best Ron in a game of Wizard Chess. Harry was finding Ginny to be a fierce opponent; he had to concentrate hard to win a hand. "I've been to weddings where the cleanup had to be done without magic," Hermione commented out of nowhere. "I very much prefer the magical method." "No doubt," Ron said. "There were over five hundred chairs out there. Imagine how long that would have taken without magic." Nobody noticed that Mrs. Weasley had come downstairs until she spoke up. "You lot about ready to call it a night?" Harry sighed and looked at Ginny. She sighed too and began collecting the cards. "Hang on," Ron said, "Hermione and I are of age, you can't send us to bed like this!" "Quite right you are," Mrs. Weasley said. "In fact, now that you're of age, you can start helping the family out by paying rent." Ron's face fell. "But, Mum, I don't have a job; how am I going to pay rent?" Mrs. Weasley crossed her arms. "Well, I suppose you could do chores around the house. You can start by fixing breakfast for us every morning, seven o'clock sharp." Ron looked at Hermione who had wisely kept her mouth shut but gave him an amused look. Ron sighed and said, "Fine, you win, I'm going." The back door opened and someone made their way up the hallway. Harry recognized Moody immediately; he was followed close behind by Mr. Weasley. "There you two are," Mrs. Weasley. "I was beginning to think you weren't coming. I was just about to send this lot to bed." "My apologies, Molly, we were slightly delayed in leaving," Moody explained. "No matter, no matter," Mrs. Weasley said. "Very well. Harry, Ron, Hermione, would you follow me please?" Moody said. Ron and Hermione stood up to go, but Harry asked, "What about Ginny?" Mr. and Mrs. Weasley froze. Moody's eye swung between them a couple of times before turning to Ginny. "My instructions are from Dumbledore himself. He left them before he died. I am to escort you, Ron and Hermione upstairs. Dumbledore didn't mention Ginny." Harry stood up, pulling Ginny with him. "Ginny is coming with me." Moody turned around, but Mr. and Mrs. Weasley both stepped in. "I'm sure Dumbledore would have approved, given the situation," Mr. Weasley said. Again, Moody's eye turned to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley in turn, then back to Ginny. "Very well. Come along you lot." Ginny gave Harry's arm a squeeze as they headed up the staircase. Moody turned into Fred and George's old room which Harry realized had been converted into some sort of study. The room was bigger than he remembered, and there were three sets of desks and chairs. Moody mumbled something as he waved his wand, and another desk and chair appeared. "Have a seat," Moody instructed. They sat down, Ron by Hermione, Ginny by Harry, and watched as Moody took something out of his cloak. He hung it on the wall and pulled away its protective cover to reveal a blank picture frame. "Wait here just a moment, I'm sure he'll be along soon," Moody said as he left the room and closed the door behind him. "What was that all about?" Ron asked. Harry stared at the blank picture, the answer as plain as day for him. "Dumbledore." No sooner had he said it then Dumbledore appeared in the frame looking quite healthy and cheerful. Harry's heart skipped. "Hello, Harry," Dumbledore said brightly. "We meet again." Harry swallowed. "Yes, sir." Dumbledore beamed, the turned to Ron and Hermione. "Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, you have been Harry's friends through and through. I am honored you decided to be here with Harry, and I thank you both for being his confidants through his most trying times at Hogwarts." Ron and Hermione turned to Harry and smiled, then turned back to Dumbledore. "Thank you, sir," Hermione said. Ron nodded. Dumbledore beamed again, then turned to Ginny. "Miss Weasley, while your presence is somewhat unexpected, it is nonetheless the most reassuring development in recent times." Harry turned to Ginny and took her hand. "I'm sorry if it surprised you, sir, but I wanted her with me. I… need her to be with me. I hope she can stay." Dumbledore looked at Harry over his half-moon spectacles. "I take it you finally understand what I have been trying to tell you." Harry nodded. "Yes sir, I do." Dumbledore smiled. "I daresay I had wondered if your affections would turn themselves to one of your acquaintances at the school. There were a few who I thought might present themselves as possibilities but, if you will forgive me, Miss Weasley, I do believe that Harry has indeed chosen well." Ginny leaned into Harry's shoulder and Harry gave her hand another squeeze. "Erm, Professor, sir, you should probably know that Ron and I… well…" Hermione said somewhat uncomfortably. Dumbledore turned to Hermione and smiled. "Yes, Ms. Granger, though you'll forgive me if I say that your and Ron's affection for each other have long been poorly-kept secrets." Ginny giggled first, but after that it was contagious. Everyone had a good laugh. Dumbledore even let loose a chuckle. Dumbledore motioned for silence by giving a polite cough. Everyone went silent and gave him their full attention. "Now, I suppose you are all wondering why I gathered you together tonight…"
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