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Author: Caitlyn Story: Lessons for Life Rating: Young Teens Setting: Pre-OotP Status: Completed Reviews: 3 Words: 87,853
Ginny turned and looked behind her. Her tracks were the first in the beautiful morning snow. She pushed the hood of her brown cloak back to face the rising sun, before kneeling in front of the partially exposed grave marker. Neville A. Longbottom. Ginny swiped at the snow, and the next part appeared: his birth date and death date. She felt the hot tears cascade down her numb cheeks as a sob escaped her. She moved some more snow away and read the inscription that she had read a thousand times before. Loyal Son. Neville had adored his parents even when they never realized who he was. He made visits nearly every weekend to their home at St. Mungo's. He would bring them a plant for their room, sweets, or something he thought they would like. Ginny had hated going to see his parents. It seemed no matter what Neville did, they would never be pulled from their mindless solitude. It just wasn't fair that Voldemort did that to them. She pushed another clump of snow away and read on. Cherished Grandson. Neville's Gran had taken the news just as horribly as Ginny had. She lost her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson because of Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Ginny swallowed and pushed back the next part, not really wanting to read it. Beloved Husband. She leaned over and fingered the engraved letters with shaking fingers. Husband. Why was she swooning over Harry? Neville would have never dishonored her memory, or his wedding vows. She felt her guilt wrenching the tears from her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Neville," she whispered. Their life together had been wonderful. He had been a nice, stable husband, sweet and completely devoted to her. Ginny knew he wasn't the most elegant of men, but that was really his charm. He liked things to be comfortable and simple. Their marriage was just like that, like a close friendship. Ginny had only planned to teach her nursery school until they could settle down and start a family. Neville would work long hours at a Herbology research lab, trying to find new uses for plants for the war effort and he and Ginny had precious little time together. Nonetheless, Neville would never fail to come home to her and tell her how much she meant to him. He had just been promoted for all his hard work, and it looked like things were finally going to get easier for them. They were starting to plan to buy a bigger home and even though it was horrible times, everything seemed to be looking up for them. Then an evening changed it all. Her world was turned upside down. ~*~ Ginny had just put supper on the table. Neville never liked her to make huge fancy suppers; he said that she was making too much trouble for herself for just him. So, she would make the things he loved the most, simple things. It had been a bowl of minestrone soup and a sandwich. They were just about to sit down, after a welcome home hug and kiss from Ginny. They had heard footsteps. Ginny had looked over at Neville; he already had his wand out, paler than she had ever seen him. "Apparate!" he had hissed at her. Ginny performed the spell almost instantly after he had told her to. She had expected to feel the warm tingle of the spell envelope her body, but a sharp painful jolt racked nearly brought her to her knees. She shook her head wildly at Neville and fought to regain the breath that had been knocked from her lungs. "They've put a spell on the house," said Neville in a surprisingly calm tone. His hands shook, and Ginny knew he was trying to stay in control. He then looked her straight in the eyes and said softly, "Ginny, it's him." "Harry!" said Ginny desperately, "Neville, we have to get Harry, anyone from the Order!" The footsteps grew louder. Neville had stood firmly in front of the door, wand raised. Ginny had shoved the cauldron out of the cooking fire, not even feeling the metal or the fire burn into her hand. Hot, boiling soup flooded the kitchen floor. She fumbled with the cork in a bottle filled with crimson powder, given to them by Dumbledore. The kitchen door exploded into two smoking halves and hit the stone floor with a sickening crunch. Ginny gave up struggling with the bottle and flung the entire thing into the fire. The flames leapt out at her, throwing her backwards into the kitchen table. Ginny knew it was too much powder, but it would work… she prayed it would work. "Harry Potter!" screamed Ginny. A mob of Death Eaters had stormed into the room, shouting at them. Ginny screamed as one grabbed Neville and shook him. Neville managed to get a grip on the Death Eater's neck and they crashed to the floor. Spells ricocheted around the room. Ginny dodged a white-hot bolt of light coming at her. Ginny charged the other Death Eaters, screaming in fury. She wasn't going to die without a fight. Then all the fighting stopped. Ginny froze on the spot. Why? Why had the Death Eaters stopped? Then she saw him. Voldemort had entered the room. "How quaint," he hissed. "They're fighting back." "Harry Potter!" Ginny cried hysterically. "Harry!" The flames flickered even more violently at the sound of her voice, and Voldemort began to laugh at her. "Screaming for the ones that are supposed to protect you? What a loyal end." "Shut up!" she spat, hands shaking as she raised her wand. Voldemort laughed louder. "You threaten me? You dare stand before Lord Voldemort and challenge him? I'm afraid your time is up, girl." Voldemort had pointed his wand at Ginny and had begun to scream the curse. "No!" screamed Neville, throwing his body across the room. He embraced her at the same second she heard the last syllable. Ginny saw the flash of green light through her closed eyes. She felt Neville slump against her. She knew he was gone. Ginny fell to the floor, screaming. "Harry Potter!" she had screamed. Seconds later, Harry had Apparated in the room and shouted spells at all the Death Eaters. It wouldn't do any good; there was no trace of them or Voldemort. Ginny remembered lying on the kitchen floor, crying herself hoarse. "Harry, come save us!" she was sobbing, "Harry, come save us!" Harry knelt, and sobbed with her. ~*~ Ginny felt a tear roll off her cheek and she gave a shuddering sigh as she uncovered the last bit. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. —Matthew 5:9 Peacemaker. That was Neville; he had never hurt anyone in his entire life. She laid the red roses on the snow next to the tombstone. The sun was getting closer to rising to full daylight and she sat next to his grave, waiting for it to be morning. Why had Harry suddenly been thrown back into her life, more prominent than ever? Her brothers would never stop telling her to move on with her life. It seemed a heartless thing to do, abandoning Neville, letting herself be attracted to Harry. Harry had been Neville's good friend. They had remained in good contact even throughout the war. That was Neville's whole problem; Ginny thought bitterly, he was too nice. Harry was a dangerous person to know during that time, but Neville would not be unkind to his friend because of a parting of sides. Neville might not have liked confrontations, but he wasn't a coward. He wouldn't stop talking to Harry even if his life was in danger. Neville put everyone before himself. Even to his last breath. It was no wonder the Sorting Hat had debated which House to place him in. He was more complex than he led people to believe. He would hate to see her sad like this. Maybe this was planned all along. She shook her head. That was nonsense. Or was it? He had often told her that Harry Potter was the bravest and most noble person he knew. Neville had respected Harry very much. Was Harry coming back into her life a sign? Did he want her to move on? Ginny picked up one of the roses. Could she move on, even if she wanted to? "Neville, I'm so confused," she murmured to him. "How could I forget you? I don't know what you'd want me to do!" She set the rose back down. "Give me a sign! Anything!" she sobbed, looking up to the heavens. When she turned to leave the cemetery she froze in the biggest shock of her life. Harry Potter was walking towards her, eyes downcast. His footsteps crunched in the morning snow and his cloak billowed behind him lifted by the wind. "Good morning," said Harry quietly. His voice filled the silence in the cemetery. "I just brought this by for Neville, I thought he would like something for a bit of Christmas decoration." He set a poinsettia down on the grave and bowed his head, paying respects. Ginny was absolutely still. He finished and nodded his head towards her. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you." Then he walked away, back in the direction he had come. Ginny scooped up some snow with her fingers to make sure she hadn't dreamed the whole thing. It was almost as if Harry hadn't been there at all… he had come as quickly as he'd left. Ginny pressed her fingers to her lips and touched the name on the gravestone. "Thank you," she whispered, "you've always been there for me. I love you." She pulled her cloak back over her head and left the opposite direction Harry had come. ~*~ "You know," said Harry leaning back in a chair in Ron's office, "I'm pretty worried about Ginny." "Worried about her?" frowned Ron. "Whatever for?" "She seems so… distant," said Harry, knowing this wasn't the correct word he was looking for. "Distant?" "No, no," Harry sighed in frustration and rubbed his forehead, "she isn't herself these days." "These days?" echoed Ron. "Harry, I haven't seen my sister act like herself since… since well, since Neville died. We've tried everything to get her to move on, the whole family has," said Ron hopelessly. Worry lines appeared on his forehead and he looked at Harry seriously. "Mum says that she might not ever let go and we have to begin to accept that ourselves." "I guess I should have checked up on her more after what happened…" said Harry, feeling his stomach knot. "But I really couldn't bring myself to go back… I'm afraid I remind her of what happened. It was my fault." Ron looked at him angrily. "Would you STOP blaming yourself!? No matter what you think, Harry, you can't be in two places at once, you can't save every life… and most importantly, I don't care who you are!" Ron's face was now turning pink and he took a breath and rounded on Harry again. "You can't change the past! Ginny knows that. I know that. The ENTIRE world knows that! You don't know what would have happened if you had got there five seconds earlier. Maybe you would have died. Maybe Ginny would have died! You don't KNOW and you never will know." Ron slammed his hand on his desk, and a pile of papers cascaded onto Harry's feet. Ron then looked a bit embarrassed at his outburst and continued on in a matter of fact tone. "So stop being a blundering idiot and think about this sensibly!" Harry stared back at Ron, his mouth slightly open. "You know what, Ron?" "What?" said Ron, calmly Accioing the papers back to his desktop. "I'm glad I have friends who can scream some sense into me." Ron looked mildly flattered. "Well, I'm also one of the few people that isn't in awe of the presence of 'The Great Harry Potter.' As if you need any more of that hero crap." "Well stated," laughed Harry. "Are you going to that Christmas Ball thing?" "Well, of course!" said Ron, looking at him as if he had three heads. "I wasn't going to go," admitted Harry. There was a pause. "How can you not go, you dummy?" laughed Ron. "Aren't you some sort of guest of honor?" "For your information, I didn't know I was one of the guests of honor. Not until Sirius told me, anyway," replied Harry, dryly. "Oh bravo, Harry, that would have went over well; the guest of honor, or one of them at least, decides not to show," teased Ron. "I don't exactly have a choice now." "You better go, I hear these things are pretty awesome. My mum's been pelting Hermione with owls talking about shopping trips and nonesuch. At least I can pick out my own dress robes for this ball, without Mum's say." "I wouldn't bet on it," grinned Harry. "I'm sure Hermione will have something nice and pressed for you when you get home." "Oh, ha ha," grumbled Ron, "very funny." Harry glanced at his watch. He had only meant to step into Ron's office to visit for a moment. It was nearly three o' clock. "I better go pick up Chloe and begin the search for a babysitter," he said getting his wand out. "I have no clue where to start." "Owl Perce. He and Penny have that part-time nanny," said Ron. "I'm sure he'll be happy to let Chloe stay the night." "The night! How long is this thing?" said Harry in surprise. "I hear they go into the wee hours of the morning," grinned Ron "It's hard to imagine my parents partying until that time." "Or Snape," snorted Harry. "Oh, you had to bring him up," groaned Ron. "I haven't heard that name in ages." "I suppose I'll see you at the ball," said Harry, Apparating out of the room. ~*~ He had arrived at the nursery school early. The room was still filled with kids. He spotted Chloe and a redheaded Meghan Weasley trying on hats and giggling at each other at the dress-up trunk. The other children seemed to be everywhere! Painting, reading books, sliding on slides… it made Harry tired just watching them. Ginny was in the middle of it all. Her pretty pastel yellow robes drew attention to her immediately. She was talking to a little boy with curly blond hair. He was nodding quietly. It looked like he had hit the girl with the black pigtails who was standing nearby, looking violated. Harry grinned when he saw the little boy scuff his feet as he muttered an apology and gave the little girl a hug. Ginny smiled briefly at Harry, then clapped her hands twice. "It's time for clean up!" she called. The nursery schoolers scurried around putting toys away. When the room looked clean they all sat in the center of the room. "Oh, the room looks so lovely, you did a great job cleaning up!" praised Ginny. "This weekend, I'd like all of you to have some fun and play in the snow!" The children squiggled around on the rug and poked each other, anticipating the snow. "When we come back on Monday, we'll have a special announcement!" Ginny said dramatically. "Class dismissed!" she said, gesturing for them to line up by the fireplace. After the last youngster had been given a pinch of Floo Powder and was gone, Chloe showed Harry her project of the day. "It's a puppet!" she said proudly. "And what a nice puppet it is," said Harry sticking his hand in it. "Have a nice evening," he made the puppet say to Ginny. Ginny laughed. "Thank you." "Uncle Harry," said Chloe exasperatedly, "that is a girl puppet. Her name is Bernadette." Harry glanced at the puppet. "Oh. Right." "Have a nice evening," said Chloe in an exaggerated feminine voice. She nodded at Harry to try. "Have a nice ev—" squeaked Harry, spluttering into laughter before he could finish the sentence. Chloe shook her head sympathetically. "That was bad." Ginny smiled and tried not to laugh too openly. Harry handed the puppet back to Chloe and picked her up, about to Apparate. "Oh!" he remembered suddenly, turning back to Ginny. "Think you'll make an appearance at the ball?" Ginny shook her head. "I've got work to do," she said quickly. "You have a nice evening too," she said with her back turned, straightening cushions. ~*~ The house looked like something out of a painting. Chloe and Harry admired the on the white pillars wrapped to look like candy canes. Frost made all of the windowpanes sparkle, and icicles hung from the gutters. Strands of lights were magically tacked on every outline of the manor. It was nicely done, down to the very wreath Harry glanced at as they walked through the front door. "What ball?" Chloe asked as a house-elf took her red cloak. Harry was reading a letter that had been laid on the entryway table. "Mmmm? Oh, there is a ball get-together tonight, and I have to go since they are going to talk about a few things I've done." "Good things?" asked Chloe. "Of course," he said. "I'm sorry, I would love to take you, but they don't let children come. But," he said showing her the letter, "you get to spend the night at Meghan's house and play with all her brothers and sisters." Chloe brightened. "A REAL slumber party?" He shrugged. "I guess you could call it that. You're welcome to take any party things you think the Weasleys would like to play with." "Yay!" shouted Chloe bolting up the stairs. "Meghan and I can play all evening!" "Fine," said Harry with a sad smile. "I'll miss you too, Chlo," he said to the empty space in front of him. ~*~ Harry heard squeals of delight from inside Percy's house when he arrived to drop off Chloe, later that evening. "Be good, okay?" "I will," she promised. "Don't eat all the sweets you brought at once. " "Not at once," she nodded. "Have a good time," he said, hugging her. "Bye, Uncle Harry," she said, kissing him on the cheek. "I'll miss you!" she added sweetly. Well, he thought happily, she was going to miss him after all. ~*~ Harry stared gloomily into his wardrobe. He really didn't want to go to this. Harry closed his eyes and pointed randomly at his rack of dress robes. Green. Okay. That would work. Harry tried to comb his hair, and gave up a few seconds into it. It would look the same regardless. He found a pair of his best boots and glanced at his watch. He would be late if he didn't hurry.
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