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Author: valeriean Story: Follow Your Heart Rating: Everyone Setting: Pre-DH Status: WIP Reviews: 22 Words: 81,835
After that day, Harry and Ginny went out of their way to avoid each other. Each left the room when the other entered. The only time they were in the same room together was during dinner, and that was just because Mrs. Weasley insisted that the entire family eat at the same table. And even then they didn’t say anything to each other; occasionally asking the person next to the other for something if the dish they wanted was nearby. It was driving everyone at the Burrow nuts. Meanwhile, life went on for both Ron and Hermione. Ron had managed to secure a job in the Department of Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry as a Quidditch scout, and was actually looking forward to starting work there. Hermione, on the other hand, was intent on furthering her education, and had applied for a Potions’ apprenticeship under Professor Snape of all people. Harry found himself at a loss. He had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. He supposed he could start by moving out of the Burrow. He would be grateful to the Weasleys for taking him in, but…The thought of being so close to Ginny, and yet being so far away at the same time was agonizing. He supposed he had to find himself a job, too. The idea of working as an Auror had lost its appeal. He’d had enough of dark wizards just from the past year alone, and he wanted a nice, quiet life now. With Ginny. Harry shook his head, willing the unbidden thought out of his mind. Ginny had been so kind to remind him that day that he didn’t always get what he wanted. He really should take a page out of Ginny’s book and move on with his life as well. But what was he going to do? Harry sighed, and leaned back against a tree, the makeshift Quidditch pitch in front of him. He supposed he could play Quidditch professionally, but that would just draw even more attention to himself. He didn’t need more pain. He was quite thankful, really, that the Weasleys provided him the shelter he needed from the reporters who, as he heard from Remus and Mr. Weasley, were beating down the doors of the Ministry and Hogwarts, trying to find him. The Burrow had been charmed with an Unplottable Charm, just for his sake, and only family and close friends could find it. Harry sighed again. His was turning eighteen in four weeks, and his life absolutely had no direction whatsoever. “A knut for your thoughts, Harry.” Harry looked up, and saw Remus Lupin standing in front of him. He hadn’t even heard him come up. His senses must have dulled in the peace and relaxation the Burrow afforded him. “Hey.” Remus sat down beside him, stretching his legs out in front. “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?” He leaned back on Harry’s tree and closed his eyes, completely relaxed. Harry didn’t answer. He really wasn’t paying attention to the weather. He looked around. Remus was right; it was a perfect summer day. The sun was shining so brightly that he could see the small stream sparkling in the distance . The birds were chirping, and there was even a little wind rustling the leaves. There was only one thing missing to make this day even more perfect for Harry. No, not thing. Person. Not liking the way his thoughts were going, Harry turned to Remus. “How is Tonks?” “Oh, she’s fine,” Remus murmured, his eyes still closed. “She’s harping on and on about the amount of paperwork to be done at the office. She’s there right now.” Remus finally opened his eyes and fixed Harry with an intense gaze. “How about you?” Harry averted his gaze from the last of the Marauders. “I’m as fine as I can be.” “You miss her.” Harry snorted. That was one way of putting it. He longed to be with Ginny. He had taken to staring at her whenever she was around, and she had taken a job in the village as a babysitter just to get away from him. He changed the subject before Remus could press him more about Ginny. “I don’t know what to do with my life, Remus. I never planned this far ahead.” Remus chuckled. “I thought as much,” he sat up straighter. “Well, as your godfather’s appointed guardian to you, I suppose it’s my duty to steer you in the proper direction?” It was at times like these that erased any doubts in Harry’s mind about Remus’ involvement with his pranksters of a father and godfather. Remus was much more able to relax in front of his close friends. “I suppose.” Remus turned a curious gaze at Harry at the dull tone of his voice. Ever since he had returned from St. Mungo’s, it was as if the boy, no, man now, had simply given up on living. “Have you thought about what you want to do?” Harry inhaled deeply. “First, I want to move out of the Burrow,” he announced. He saw Remus raise an eyebrow in questioning surprise, and quickly went on. “I can’t live like this anymore, Remus! I see her everyday…and…she…She won’t even look at me!” He sighed. “She’s obviously moved on with her life. The least I can do is move on with mine. And I can’t do that while I’m here.” Remus nodded his understanding. “Grimmauld Place really isn’t suitable to live in, Harry. I suppose we can hire someone to renovate the place, first.” “More like burn it down to the ground and rebuild a new one,” Harry muttered darkly. He didn’t want to live in Sirius’ old house. “You live in Grimmauld Place. I’ll find somewhere else to live.” Remus sputtered. “But you own that place, Harry!” “So, I’m giving it to you,” Harry said bluntly. “You and Tonks will finally have a place to settle down.” Remus’ eyes bulged out of their sockets. “I…I haven’t even asked her, Harry!” “Honestly, Remus,” Harry said, not believing that he had enough cheek left in him. “With the way things are going, Tonks will be the one to propose to you.” Remus remained quiet, deep in thought. “Tell you what, Harry,” he glanced at the man beside him with a mischievous glint in his eye. “I really don’t fancy the idea of starting a family in that horrid place --.” “And horrid, it is.” Harry interrupted. “Yes,” Remus agreed, nonplussed. He went on. “The thing is, the manor at Godric’s Hollow, or the land the manor used to stand on, is yours as well.” Harry opened his mouth as if to argue, but Remus held up his hand. “I’ll accept Grimmauld Place from you as a wedding gift, if you agree to live at Godric’s Hollow once the house is rebuilt.” “I thought you hadn’t proposed yet.” Harry brought up the safer topic. He hadn’t told anybody that he had dreamed of living in Godric’s Hollow with Ginny, as his wife, if ever he survived the war. “Well, as you say, I need to speed things up a bit,” Remus grinned. “I’m not getting any younger.” “Right you are.” Remus playfully whacked the side of Harry’s head. “I rather fancy the idea of tearing down Grimmauld Place. We can rebuild our houses together. What do you say, Prongs Jr.?” Harry cocked his head to the side pretending to consider the older man’s proposal. He wanted Remus to have Sirius’ old house. It was only fitting. Godric’s Hollow. Well, he supposed if he couldn’t have the wife, he might as well have the house. It would be his very own bachelor pad. “All right, but I have one condition.” “What is it?” “You have to take half of the gold Sirius left me. It comes with the house.” Now, Harry was sure the werewolf’s eyes were going to pop out of his face. Remus opened his mouth to say something, only to close it again, and a few moment later, did the exact same thing. All in all, he was doing a rather impressive imitation of a goldfish. “But…But…Harry!” Remus sputtered. He had a pretty good idea just how much money Harry was talking about. He’d never had that much gold in his life. Hell, combine all the money he’d spent on himself in all his thirty-eight years, it wouldn’t even come close to a quarter of the half of Sirius’ money. “I wouldn’t know what to do with all that money!” “Neither do I,” Harry replied. “Come on, Remus. We can use the money to rebuild our houses. And then, some will have to go to your wedding. And you really have to save up, depending on how many children you’re willing to have.” He grinned at him. “And I will spend the rest of my money lavishing your children with gifts.” Remus was disappointed that Harry didn’t even mention getting married himself. But he figured the wound the youngest Weasley inflicted on his chest was still gaping open. He didn’t mention it, though, and focused on their conversation. “Well, if you put it that way…” “I do!” Harry said gleefully. “You’ll have to make me godfather of all your children, Remus.” Remus smiled at the sincerity in Harry’s voice. “You’ll spoil my children rotten.” “Of course.” The two fell silent thinking of their respective futures. At least Harry could look forward to having godchildren, if he couldn’t have his own children. Maybe he could talk Ron and Hermione into naming him the godfather of their future brood, too. “What?” Harry asked when he discovered that Remus was staring at him thoughtfully. “Now tell me, Harry, what about a job? Have you considered --.” “I wanted to be an Auror,” Harry answered his guardian seriously. “But I’m not sure I really want more of that.” “Me too,” Remus chuckled. “I don’t know how Nymphadora can go back to work after everything that has happened.” “I don’t know, Remus,” Harry sighed, trying to sink further into the tree trunk. “It’s like there’re all kind of possibilities out there, but nothing’s right for me.” “Have you thought about teaching?” Remus asked suddenly. “Teaching?” Harry perked up at the suggestion. He hadn’t thought about that. His limited teaching experience at Hogwarts had been…fulfilling. He couldn’t describe the feeling he got whenever a fellow student mastered a spell. “The school Governors want you to continue teaching Defense,” Remus announced. “Minerva and I are against it, of course, we didn’t think you were up to that much stress. I mean you won’t have Ron and Hermione with you…” He trailed off and smiled weakly at Harry. “But the governors were adamant. They want you.” “They…want me?” Harry’s face split into a wide grin. “Really?” “Apparently, the students gave McGonagall great reviews about you. The first-years adored you last year, Harry. As did all the other students you taught,” Remus’ smile was genuine this time, as Harry seemed pleased with his suggestion. “She passed her report onto the school Governors. If you want the job, it’s yours. Professor McGonagall wanted me to ask you.” Harry’s brain went into overdrive at all the possibilities the teaching post would give him. He would be doing something he wanted. The reporters would be kept away, and dark wizards would be repelled by the renewed protection around the castle. He and Remus would be colleagues! And best of all, he was actually quite capable of teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. “Oh, Remus. I can’t,” Harry’s face fell when he realized the weakness of that plan. “Ginny still has her seventh year to go. I can’t teach her!” Remus frowned at him. “Are you a Gryffindor or not, Harry?” “What?” “I asked if you were a Gryffindor.” Harry didn’t answer. He didn’t feel too brave facing Ginny at the moment. “You can’t let her dictate the way your life goes, Harry,” Remus said gently. “So, you’re heartbroken. But you can’t run away from her forever. You’re best friends with Ron, for crying out loud! “Look, you can move out now, and move in with me at Grimmauld Place, and help me decide what to do with it,” Remus suggested. “Two months away from her should do the trick. When the school year starts, we can start construction. With Sirius’ money, both houses should be finished in no time.” “Do you really think I can do this?” Harry asked doubtfully. “You can do anything you want.” Harry stared out, the sparkling water on the stream mesmerizing him. He didn’t think two months would be enough to just forget he ever loved Ginny, but it would be enough to dull the pain in his heart. And besides, he would only have a few hours a week as her Professor in Defense. There wouldn’t be time to think about romantic thoughts during those hours. Suddenly, the future didn’t seem too bleak anymore. “All right, Remus. I accept.” -.-.-.-.-.- Harry’s moving out of the Burrow. Ginny repeated the thought in her head. He’s moving out! She was free! She no longer had to worry about losing her mind whenever Harry was in the same room. She can finally come to terms with the end of their relationship with the temptation of his person so far away. Of course, she still had to deal with the weekly Sunday night dinners. Her mum had made Harry and Professor Lupin promise to come. (Harry, at that point had been willing to do anything just to get her mum to stop crying.) But a couple of hours each week would be no problem for her. Ginny listened to the sounds coming from above her as Harry, with the help of Ron and Remus, packed his things. She wondered what he was going to do, now that Tom Riddle was gone once and for all. He had taken his NEWTs, but the results haven’t arrived yet. She had no idea what possibilities he was considering. If she knew, maybe she could take a step in the absolute opposite of where Harry would be… Stop it, Weasley! Ginny berated herself. What Harry does should be of no concern to you! And you shouldn’t let it dictate your future. What Ginny really wanted was to be a curse breaker like her eldest brother Bill. And she needed top marks in Charms and Ancient Runes for that. And Defense Against the Dark Arts as well. Burying the thoughts of Harry that came into her mind upon the thought of Defense Against the Dark Arts, she let her mind wonder who might be the next Defense teacher. She hoped he or she would be good one. She needed top marks in her NEWTs. The thumping of trunks down the stairs followed by Hermione’s high pitched voice saying “Honestly, are you a wizard, Ron Weasley?!” brought her back to the present. Harry was leaving. Ginny’s heart started to thump wildly in her chest, as she tried to resist the urge to throw open the door to her room, jump into Harry’s arms and beg him not to leave. Merlin, Weasley, you’re stronger than this! “GINNY WEASLEY, YOU COME DOWN HERE, RIGHT NOW!” Ginny winced at the sound of her mother’s voice. She couldn’t go down. Harry was still there. She supposed her mum was going to force her to say goodbye. Sighing, Ginny shuffled to her feet. Better to go down now than suffer the wrath of her mum. Honestly, her mum’s temper was worse than all of her children’s combined. Ginny made her way down the stairs as she listened intently to her mother fussing over Harry. “Now, dear, have you got everything? You’ll take care of him, Remus, won’t you? Ron, wrap up some of those leftover sandwiches from lunch for Harry to take with him. Fred! Get away from Harry’s trunk, right now! Oh, where is that girl. GINNY WEAS –.” “Really, Mrs. Weasley,” Harry interrupted her in mid-shout. “She doesn’t need to come down here if she doesn’t want to.” “I’m here, Mum,” Ginny stepped out into the sitting room, where her mum, Ron, the twins, Hermione, Professor Lupin, and Harry were assembled. Harry glanced at her for a moment, before quickly averting his gaze, and resting them on the photo of him, Ron and Hermione on the mantle above the fireplace. “There you are, Ginny,” Mrs. Weasley frowned at her daughter. “Now, say your goodbyes.” Ginny walked over to where Harry stood near the fireplace. Not arguing with her mother when she was in such a volatile mood would be a good decision. “Erm --.” Harry chanced a glance at her again, before settling his eyes on his shoes. Ginny held out her hand for a shake. “Goodbye, Harry. Good luck.” Harry looked at her hand for a moment, before taking it in his own, and then surprised her by pulling her in and enveloping her into a big hug. “You take care, Gin.” Ginny’s heart wrenched at Harry’s gentle words. She nodded, not trusting her voice to speak, keeping her hands firmly at her sides. Harry’s hug lasted for a few more seconds before he reluctantly released her. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Ginny stiffened at the touch and quickly stepped back. “Sorry,” Harry mumbled softly. He nodded at her. “Bye.” He stepped in front of the fireplace, and Mrs. Weasley gave him one last hug. He turned to Ron and Hermione and the twins, nodded at them once, and then picked up a handful of floo powder from the flower pot. He threw the powder into the fire, and when it turned to dancing green flames, he firmly stated his destination. “NUMBER TWELVE, GRIMMAULD PLACE!” With that he was gone. Remus banished Harry’s luggage with his wand, sending them to Grimmauld Place, waved goodbye to them, and then he was gone, too. Ginny couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. What was wrong with her? She turned and ran back to her room, threw herself on the bed, and gave in to the river of tears threatening to overflow onto her face. -.-.-.-.-.- Author’s Notes: I have a lot of thank yous to go around, so…here they go! The first one goes to God, who made the birth of JK Rowling possible, who, in turn, created the world of Harry Potter. So, thanks to her, too! Next to my beta, Allie, who puts up with all my grammar, punctuation and other errors. And finally, to the readers and reviewers…thanks! Oh, and please keep those reviews coming, they’re very much appreciated.
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