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Author: Zelthian Story: The Gryffindor Four Rating: Young Teens Setting: Pre-HBP Status: Completed Reviews: 2 Words: 31,336
Harry told Mr. Weasley about his encounter with Malfoy the minute they got home. He was relieved to hear that Remus had witnessed the affair from outside the shop, and that the Order knew of Malfoy's insinuations. Harry and Ron risked a goodnight kiss with the girls before everyone finally went off to bed. The next few weeks progressed with little excitement. Life returned to a relatively normal pace during this time, and Harry went from mourning Sirius's death, (constantly reminded by being in his house) to worrying about Malfoy, to basking in the glorious glow that was Ginny. Fortunately, Dumbledore had been able to remove the painting of Sirius's mother last summer. He hadn't told anyone where he had taken it, and that was just fine with Harry. Harry's affection for Ginny grew stronger and stronger. She seemed to know the instant he was depressed, and always knew how to approach him. Sometimes she would try to cheer him up; sometimes she would just sit next to him and hold his hand. One night, when Harry was hit particularly hard with a memory of Sirius, she ran to his side and eased him down onto the couch in the living room. Within moments, Harry had fallen asleep on her lap, tears streaming down his cheek. Harry was thankful he had Ginny now and didn't know how he had made it this far without her. One day, as they were rearranging the furniture in the living room with Moody, Dumbledore came to visit. "It's very good to see you, Professor!" Harry said, shaking Dumbledore's hand. "Likewise, Harry," Dumbledore said. "To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?" Dumbledore studied Harry carefully. "Under normal situations, Harry, students are taught to Apparate by their parents, and only after they have reached their seventeenth birthday. However, under the circumstances, it has been decided that you shall be instructed a little early." Harry's heart leaped. He had forgotten that Fred and George had just learned how to Apparate when he arrived in here two years ago and now he was going to learn how. Then he caught the other part of Dumbledore's statement; parents instructed their kids. Harry started missing his parents again. Right on cue, Ginny took his hand. "Who is going to instruct Harry, Professor?" Ginny said, looking at Harry. "I'll be instructing Harry," a voice said from the direction of the kitchen. "Profes... I mean, Mr. Lup... I mean, Remus?" Remus smiled. "Yes, Harry, if that's okay with you?" "I'd like that," Harry replied, then turned to Dumbledore. "You came all the way here to tell me this?" "Well, not entirely, Harry. You see, normally, when more than one student is being taught at a time, a backup wizard is employed, just in case. I volunteered for the job." "More than one stu... Of course! Ron! Hermione! We're going to learn to Apparate!" The three of them did a group hug, and turned around, filled with giddy glee. A ton of bricks hit Harry as he eyed Ginny, sitting quietly on the couch. Ginny, of course, was a year behind Harry, so she would have to wait a year to learn. A sudden fear rose in Harry. "Professor, sir, could I have a word with you in private?" Dumbledore nodded. "Of course, Harry. Let's go to the kitchen." Harry followed Dumbledore through the living room and into the kitchen. "Professor, I wanted to let you know that Ginny and I are... well, we're..." "Dating, Harry?" Harry nodded awkwardly. "Yes sir. Well, as you know, I seem to have a bit of a way of getting myself into trouble." Dumbledore's gaze became a little more stern. "Well, I was thinking, if I ever was in that sort of trouble again, and Ginny was with me, well... I could always Apparate out, but she wouldn't be able to, not for another year, anyway. But I was thinking, if an exception could be made, just this once, considering the situation and all..." Harry trailed off. Dumbledore studied Harry carefully for a long moment. "As a matter of fact, Harry, I have already had a conversation with the Council for Underage Wizardry. It has not escaped notice that the Weasley family has become a favorite target for the factions supporting Voldemort's return. As it turns out, I already have permission to allow Miss Weasley's family to train her to Apparate." For the second time in as many minutes, Harry's heart leapt. "That would be excellent, sir. She doesn't know yet, does she?" Dumbledore shook his head. "It was going to be a surprise." "Oh! Fantastic! I'll keep it to myself, then." Dumbledore beamed at Harry. "You know, Harry, I always knew you would be a great wizard. I can see now that you are also becoming a remarkable man. Your parents would be very proud." With that, Dumbledore stood and headed for the living room, Harry right behind. Harry walked quickly to the living room before Dumbledore could get there. He sat by Ginny and took her hand again, smiling. Ginny opened her mouth to question him, but before she could say anything, Remus spoke up. "Well, we'd best be going. Your parents are waiting for us at The Burrow." Everyone got up and headed to the fireplace. Harry stayed with Ginny, making sure she didn't feel left out. One by one, they took turns in the grate, first Moody, then Ron and Hermione, followed by Harry, Ginny, Remus, and Dumbledore. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were waiting for them in the family room. "Ah, you all made it safely, good, good," Mr. Weasley sighed as they came out of the fire. "The modifications you made to our fire were absolutely brilliant, Albus. Truly amazing work!" "Thank you, Arthur," Dumbledore replied. "Now, I think we should all make our way outside." Mr. and Mrs. Weasley nodded, and they all filed out into the field next to the house. Harry remembered the first time they used the field; Charley and Bill had dueled with a couple of old tables. "Right then, the pairing shall be as such: Harry, you'll be with Remus, of course. Ron, you'll be with Molly. Hermione, you'll be with Alastor." Dumbledore turned to Ginny. "Ginny, you'll be with Arthur." Ginny's head shot up from where it had been hanging. "Me? I'm going to learn too?" "Yes Ginny," he said with a crinkle around his eyes, "If you'd like." Ginny didn't know who to look at as her gaze flitted between all the adults before settling on the closest. "Mum?" "We thought it was important, Ginny. You are in as much danger as any of us here, dear, and we want to make sure you'll have as many ways as possible to defend yourself." Ginny was overjoyed. She ran to her mother and hugged her. "Oh, thank you, Mum! Thank you thank you!" She ran to hug her dad. "Thank you, Dad!" "All right, everyone paired up, then? Right, then, off you go!" Apparating was harder than Harry thought, but he got the hang of it pretty quick. Before long, he was popping around the field, first by the tree. Crack! Then on top of the table. Crack! Then onto a slippery rock. Crack, thud, "Ouch!" Before they knew it, it was dinnertime. Dumbledore motioned everyone to gather together and head into the house. Ginny skipped over to Harry and took his hand. They both went to kiss each other on the cheek, but met lip to lip instead, hoping nobody noticed. "How did it go, Ginny?" he asked after they pulled apart. "It's wonderful, Harry! I'm having a great time!" "You must be doing okay, I didn't see you much." Harry joked. "Well, I don't want to brag, but I got to my bedroom." Harry's eyes widened. "You did? You went into another room on your first day?" Ginny nodded. "Wow! That's amazing! Not many witches or wizards can do that on their first day, and you're a year younger than the rest of us!" Harry was positively beaming. Ginny smiled, and Harry thought she smiled just a bit too slyly. He put the thought out of his head and turned to Ron. "How about you two, how's it coming along?" "Not bad," Hermione said. "Just rotten," Ron said. Hermione sighed. "Yeah, ok, it's rotten." "Why, what's wrong?" "We're both having a bit of trouble with it," Ron admitted. "Some folks take to it easy, some don't." "But we're getting there, Ron," Hermione added. "You got almost all the way to the tree, and I managed to miss that rock that Harry slipped on. We're getting the hang of it, we just need practice. Besides, neither of us ended up halfway in the ground like some others have, and that's saying something, isn't it?" Ron cheered up considerably when Hermione said this. He gave her a squeeze and peck on the cheek. Dumbledore stayed for dinner that night, and they all talked about their practice. Nobody else seemed to know Ginny was able to get into the house ("I'm doing okay.") except Harry and the other adults. Tops on the list of favorite stories was Harry's fight with the slippery rock, which he agreed he had lost miserably. Everyone cheered when Dumbledore stated he was satisfied that everyone was doing well enough to practice with their coaches without extra supervision. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny all went to bed a little early, as the practicing had tired them out. Harry and Ginny's goodnight kiss had become a ritual now, but Ginny gave Harry an extra tight hug. "You know Harry, when I first met you five years ago, I imagined you as a loving, caring person. Every day now I realize that I was right. You are the sweetest man I know." "Thank you, Ginny. What brought that on?" Ginny leaned in and whispered in Harry's ear, "Dumbledore told me about your conversation in the kitchen today." She gave him a peck on the nose and scurried up to her room. "Gotta tell ya, mate. That was the most fun I've had since I won the Quidditch match!" Harry nodded readily. "Absolutely. Can't wait to practice more." With that, they both retired to their rooms. Over the next few weeks the four of them took every chance they could get to practice at The Burrow. Before long, Ron and Hermione were getting really good, Apparating into the kitchen, up to rooms, out onto the tree. Harry hadn't missed a beat yet, and he would often take breaks just to watch Ginny, who was amazing. He watched as she Apparated on top of the house, then out balancing on a tree limb, then balancing on the wall, then back to the tree, when... *SNAP!* The tree limb broke. Harry didn't even have time to think; he just reacted. *CRACK!* He was under her, and she fell into his arms, both landing with a *thud* on the ground. "Ginny! Harry! Are you two all right?" Mrs. Weasley yelled frantically, running over. Harry and Ginny sat up together. "I'm fine, Mum. Harry broke my fall." "I'm okay, Mrs. Weasley, Ginny's fall is all I broke." "That was brilliant, Harry!" Ron said, amazed. Harry blushed. "I don't know what I did! I was just... suddenly there." Everyone just looked around and shrugged. Nobody seemed to question what had happened, they were all just happy Ginny was okay. They returned to practicing, leaving Ginny and Harry to rest. "You saved me, Harry! That was incredible!" "You should be more careful. I'm not sure I could do that again." "Oh, Harry, don't fuss, I'm having a blast!" "I know, Ginny, I just... don't want you to get hurt." Unwillingly, Harry's thoughts turned to the prophecy. Ginny got one of her 'aw, Harry' looks on her face. She pulled him to her and gave him a big, passionate kiss.
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