PhoenixSong.net :: A Harry/Ginny Fanfic and Fanart Archive

Author: Grandma Kate

Story: Ginny's Seventh Year at Hogwarts

Part: 10:Ginny Finishes Hogwarts and Joins the Holyhead Harpies-June 1999

Rating: Everyone

Setting: Post-DH

Status: Completed

Reviews: 8

Words: 3,433

Updated: October 3, 2009, 11:53am

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10:Ginny Finishes Hogwarts and Joins the Holyhead Harpies-June 1999

The Harry Potter Universe belongs to J.K. Rowling. I’m just borrowing the characters for a while. This is for pleasure only, no profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: Even as those who loved Fred still mourn for him, they each begin to realize that life must go on. This story is told from Molly’s Weasley’s point of view and continues from where Ginny’s Sixth Year at Hogwarts leaves off. It takes place the year after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, therefore eighteen years before the Epilogue.

Just before the sun came up on the first of June, Molly woke with a start. She felt her special pendant that became warm when someone was thinking loving thoughts about her. The stone was definitely warmer than normal. She wondered who was sending a message to her. She glanced at Arthur, lying next to her, but he was still asleep. It seemed unusually warm for early June, so Molly thought she might have been mistaken about her pendant being warmer than usual. After a quick trip to the loo, she put on a thin cotton dressing gown and light slippers and went down to make a cup of tea to take out into the garden.

Sitting on the garden bench, Molly could check whether all the weeding, insect repelling, and watering charms were working. Arthur’s old friend, Florian Gardener, had retired from the WWN program How Does Your Garden Grow? Someone named Organic Orlando had replaced him. The young gardener insisted that plants grown without using magic to eliminate weeds or make them grow faster were more nutritious. However, from what Molly could tell from the calls into his show, the current answer to How Does Your Garden Grow? was, ’Not as well as it used to.’ It seemed to Molly that using the tried and true charms was more satisfactory that the new-fangled ways.

Arthur opened the kitchen door and called out to her. ‘What does a wizard have to do to get a bit of breakfast before he goes off to work?’ Molly climbed the stairs and giggled as he held his hand out. ‘Perhaps five kisses would be sufficient payment?’ Five kisses took a bit longer than expected, so Arthur settled for a half cup of tea and some toast wrapped in an old tea towel.

Corrine made a Floo Call to beg off dueling practice since it was getting so warm, so Molly found herself with some time to straighten up the house. Ginny would be home in less than two weeks so Molly put clean sheets on her bed. Her Quidditch playing daughter would barely have time to unpack her Hogwarts trunk before she’d be off to the special training session for new Harpies’ players, Molly thought. Then she went back into the bedroom she shared with Arthur and began to organize the closet. She conjured a large box and used her wand to fold and pack some of their winter clothes. She Summoned the heavy cloaks from the pegs by the kitchen door and added them to the box. Then she Summoned the box of summer clothes from the box room, and sent the boxes full of heavy jumpers and cloaks in to replace them. It didn’t take long to hang up the lightweight clothes for both her and Arthur, so she began to straighten up the items accumulated on the floor of their closet.

As Molly was lining up her shoes, she noticed the Fifi Le Fete romance novels behind her hiking shoes and decided that she’d spend the rest of the day reading her favorite one. She quite liked the stories that Kathleen Pen wrote but she thought that there was nothing like returning to the classics. She pulled back the heavy drapes, opened the window to let the morning breeze in, turned the squishy armchair into a chaise, and summoned some bon bons. ‘Might as well do it up proper, ‘ she muttered as she began to lose herself reading about Petronella, a shy noble maiden captured by a handsome, sensitive pirate captain named Pierre. No one was aware that Pierre was actually Prince Peter who had been carried off as a youth by a band of pirates and was under a Memory Charm that could only be released by ‘Love’s First Kiss’. Molly remembered The Passionate Pirate as being all heaving decks and heaving bosoms after the maiden finally kissed the pirate.

The day grew too warm to have any windows open, so Molly closed them and the drapes on the sunny side of the house. She carried the book and the box of candy down into the sitting room but it was too dark to read comfortably there, so she began to look for something else to do. She made herself a glass of iced tea from what was left in the teapot. Some new pictures of Philippe were piled next to the album that Bill and Fleur had given her for her birthday so she started to cast Sticking Charms on the pictures of her grandson. Molly wondered how long it would be before her eldest son and his wife decided to have a second child. Fleur was sure that she could break the string of Weasley males since she was part Veela. As she finished her task and drank the iced tea, she decided that she and Arthur would have a big salad for supper on this warm evening and hurried out to pick some tomatoes and lettuce.

It cooled down enough that Molly and Arthur ate in the garden and sat in the twilight talking about how their lives would change as all of their children left to begin their own lives.

Thursday at supper time, Harry came by with some very good news. ‘Molly and Arthur, you have taken me into your family since I was very young. You trust that I will be a good husband to your only daughter. ‘ He continued, ‘I was called into Minister Shacklebolt’s office this afternoon. He said that the Ministry would make a formal announcement tomorrow afternoon at four that I am to become Deputy to Chief Auror Meriwether Macmillan. I want you to come to the announcement and the reception in my honour.’

Molly squealed and threw her arms around him. ‘Does Ginny know?’

Harry shook his head. ‘She has her Ancient Runes final exam at the very same time or I’d beg Headmistress McGonagall to let her come. I’ll tell her at the last Hogsmeade Weekend on Saturday.’

Molly was so proud of Harry at the announcement and reception. He was the youngest deputy to the Head Auror that anyone could remember and more then one department head commented that he’d probably be the youngest Head Auror in just a few years. Percy kept repeating, ‘He’s on an extremely fast track. I’ve always had faith in my brother-in-law-to be.’

Molly asked Percy if he had done any more about learning to use Muggle computers and he told her that he had an appointment with Steve Gates at WWN the following Monday to have a lesson with the one that they had there in the special lead-lined room. Molly was very enthusiastic about his plans but couldn’t help hoping that the very proficient Audrey Anderson would also just happen be there. She was sure that they would hit it off if they ever met.

When Molly and Arthur finished eating and settled in to watch Wealthy Wizard Woos Willing Witches, Molly was still thinking about Percy and his seeming difficulty in meeting a suitable witch. Perhaps she should suggest that Kate develop a program about ordinary single wizards who were not wealthy but good husband material, nonetheless. It might attract single witches who were interested in meeting someone who would be a good husband and father instead of the silly scarlet women who were simpering all over Artemis Applegate. She got so agitated watching the silliness that she told Arthur that she had a headache and went to bed before the first advert. He said he’d be up after he learned whether Peony the Weather Prophet thought it would still be hot tomorrow.

The final week of Ginny’s seventh year at Hogwarts seemed to go by very slowly. Molly kept busy dueling with Corinne, cleaning and re-furbishing The Burrow, and getting food prepared for Ginny’s Leaving Hogwarts Party. They had several things to celebrate with Harry’s promotion and Ginny signing a contract with the Holyhead Harpies.

Harry asked Molly and Arthur if they would allow him to meet Ginny alone as she arrived home on the Hogwarts Express. They could not refuse him when he added that he wanted to take her to a special place that afternoon and evening. He said that he’d Banish her trunk to The Burrow so they would know that she had arrived at King’s Cross. He was as good as his word. Molly heard the trunk clunk down next to Ginny’s bed at four sharp.

When Molly awoke Saturday morning, she began to bake the bread that she had left rising overnight. She and Arthur were just finishing breakfast when Ginny came down the stairs, dressed in the dark green dressing gown that Bill and Fleur had given her for Christmas. She paused at the foot of the stairs, waving one of her hands in an exaggerated manner. Molly finally realized that her daughter had a very large diamond ring on the third finger of her left hand and jumped up from the table, making excited sounds. She hugged Ginny and admired the beautiful ring. It had a large diamond set off by three smaller ones on either side.

‘It was Harry’s mother’s. We went to his vault at Gringott’s and he knelt down and proposed right there — surrounded by trunks and furniture and mounds of gold. He said he had been going to propose in Paris but couldn’t wait.’

‘Paris?’ repeated Molly.

‘We ate dinner in Paris. It was very romantic and the food was good,’ said Ginny. Then she began to sing, ‘I love Paris…’

‘Paris?’ repeated Molly again before Arthur swooped his daughter into a hug.

‘So my baby girl is engaged, not just promised,’ said Arthur with a big smile. ‘This is another reason to celebrate tonight.’

The rest of the day was so busy that Molly didn’t have a chance to stop and appreciate all that had happened. She and Ginny prepared salads and vegetables. They made a huge chocolate cake. When Harry arrived, he and Ginny went up to Fred’s grave to tell him their happy news and leave the lilacs that Harry had bought for Ginny in Paris. Then Harry was put to work moving tables and chairs outside for the party.

Eventually, Ron dragged himself out of bed to eat breakfast and join Harry in furniture moving. George and Angelina arrived to help with the decorations. Angelina noticed Ginny’s engagement ring immediately. George set to work adding engagement congratulations to the special sign he had made to welcome Ginny home and wish her well in her new career while Angelina arranged lights all around the trees. Arthur chilled drinks and carved roasts.

Bill and Fleur arrived with all the paraphernalia that Philippe required and pitched in to help where needed. They all were about to break for lunch when Percy showed up. He asked if he could feed Philippe his strained carrots and then encouraged him to try to pick up a few Wizard Puffs. Molly thought he had a special bond with his toddler nephew as he cleaned the food off his face and took him off to change his nappy.

Hermione and her parents arrived just after George managed to get the big sign that was strung between the trees to flash ‘Go Harpies!’ in gold and green, ‘Deputy Head Auror Potter’ in black and purple, and ‘Congratulations Ginny and Harry’ in silver and gold surrounded by wedding bells. It was spectacular.

Many of Harry and Ginny’s Hogwarts friends came to help them celebrate the beginning of their new lives. Andromeda and Teddy arrived just as the food was about to be served. Teddy toddled right over to the happy couple and put his arms around their legs with his hair changing from auburn to black. ‘Up In-ee! Up Haw-ee!’ he screamed and laughed when Harry tossed him in the air and caught him.

Many toasts were made in honour of the happy couple, the good companionship, and the magnificent feast. The party lasted so long into the night that Molly and Arthur forgot about watching the program about the Wealthy Wizard. They didn’t even think about the silly show until the next morning when they read in the Sunday Prophet that the Wealthy Wizard Artemis Applegate had eloped with the show’s assistant producer Persephone Prescott.

‘Oh my!’ said Molly. ‘I hope they will be very happy. She seemed like such a nice, sensible young witch. Not at all silly, like those scarlet women.’

Ginny was to leave for the Harpies Training Camp in Wales at noon on Monday, so the Weasley family had an early family dinner Sunday night. Everyone left as soon as they ate so that Ginny and Harry would have some private time to say good-bye. Molly and Arthur went up to bed early, each of them thinking that everything would change from now on. Molly cuddled with Arthur but still slept restlessly and woke long before sunrise.

As she made herself a cup of tea in the quiet house, Molly thought first about her youngest child, who was in love with and loved by a man who suited her perfectly. Ginny always had an intensity that some people thought was stubbornness, but which Molly recognized and understood all too well. Their brilliant daughter had earned quite a respectable number of N.E.W.T.s and could have had any number of employment opportunities, but was determined to become a professional Quidditch player. She had always followed her own star, sometimes with better results than her mother could imagine. Molly could not help being pleased that she and Harry had fallen in love, just as their mothers had hoped. She smiled, thinking about the plans that her younger self and her dear friend Lily had for their children. She was certain that they would be as happy together as their parents had been with each other.

Molly took her cup of tea out into the garden and her thoughts turned to their youngest son, Ron. He and Harry had turned out to be best friends, just as she and Lily had hoped when they were babies. They’d both made friends with the ‘smartest witch in her generation’. Molly wondered how soon Ron and Hermione would decide to move in together. It was obvious that he wanted to spend his life with this amazing witch. Hermione would be good for him. She’d help him become all that he could be. He had all the interest and aptitude for building that Fabian and Gideon had. Perhaps he would find a way to use those talents. He’d be such a good father who would support his children in every way. Molly nodded her head as she thought about a child with Hermione’s brains and Ron’s loving heart.

As Molly settled down on the garden bench, she thought about how happy George and Angelina were together. They were good for each other. Their desire to have a child was evident when they looked at Philippe or Teddy. They were now settled in their new house, and from what Angelina had said, they were actively trying for a child of their own. Molly thought they’d probably name their first son after Fred. Perhaps if they had a girl, they’d name her after Roxanne Johnson, Angelina’s mother. Molly sighed as she thought that George and Angelina each had a part of Fred always with them.

As the sun rose higher, Molly looked up at the old oak tree by Fred’s grave on the hill. It hardly seemed possible that it had been only thirteen months since his death. So much had happened in such a short time. She wondered again, how he would feel about George and Angelina marrying. He always said that Ginny was destined for Harry, and time had proved him right. Now each of his remaining brothers, except Percy, had someone special in his life. Molly knew that Fred would have been excited about Bill and Fleur’s son and the baby that Charlie and Kathleen were expecting in the first month of the year 2000. Molly wiped a tear away. She knew she would always miss her Freddie and wonder what might have been.

She both smiled and wiped a tear with the hem of her apron as she remembered that Fred had lived to see Percy reconciled with his family. She could still remember the exact words that Fred had used to finish Percy’s ‘I was a pompous prat, I was—a—a—’ Fred didn’t miss a beat as he continued, ‘Ministry-loving, family-disowning, power-hungry moron…’ At least they had been together when the wall collapsed, laughing, and joking. Molly wished that Percy would find that special witch that he’d be eager to spend his life with. She was sure that he hadn’t met her yet because Percy was so like Arthur. He’d act on his determination to woo and win his chosen one as soon as he found her. She smiled, remembering her own courtship. They couldn’t wait to marry. She and Arthur had been the first couple in their class to wed and they’d never regretted it. Percy would be a wonderful husband to the witch who suited him.

Molly’s thoughts next turned to Charlie. Maybe she and Arthur should plan to go to Romania in time for the birth of their second grandchild. Kathleen’s mother had died when she was still at Hogwarts, so surely she’d want a woman with her who wasn’t a dragon handler or researcher. Molly knew quite a lot about having babies and their care so she thought she was the logical one to be with her, wedding ring or not. Love was all that really mattered. Charlie and Kathleen had enough love to give their child. She’d mention taking a trip to Romania right after Christmas to Arthur when the time was right. Maybe even this afternoon after Ginny was on her way to Wales.

As Molly got up from the bench to go back in the house to make breakfast, she mused that if she was a good judge of what her oldest son would do, he was ready to try for a daughter to please his wife. Fleur was obviously eager to have another child. She kept singing a Muggle song about drinking tea that ended, ‘A boy for you and a girl for me. Can’t you zee how very ‘appy we weel be.’ It shouldn’t take long for Bill to catch on what she wanted.

When Molly opened the door, Arthur was already in the kitchen, stirring the porridge with his wand. ‘Too excited to sleep with Ginny leaving?’

‘I’ve been thinking about our children and how well they have turned out. You have been a wonderful father.’ she replied with a kiss that curled his toes. ‘And all the while, you have been the best husband in the world for me. You realise that the first day of the rest of our life together starts this afternoon.’

Arthur smiled.

A/N: Ginny will be too excited to notice how her parents are hurrying her off to training camp.

Thank you to everyone who has read these stories. I paid attention to comments that clarified what I wanted to write. My friends at LiveJournal have been supportive even when the stories were too G-rated for their taste. I started out writing for young people and tried to keep it that way.

St Margarets has been more than generous with her characters. In my mind, they have as much life as those JKR invented. My pre-beta, bookish327, and my beta, Trelawney2213, have taught me a great deal about grammar, punctuation, and communication. I owe them.

As most of you know, I am taking some time off from writing Harry Potter fan fics. Dear Oatmeal has some serious health problems and I need to be there for him as he has been there for me. I am already planning my eightieth birthday party, although it does not take place until Thanksgiving Twenty-ten. Be well.

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