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Author: Zelthian Story: The Gryffindor Four Rating: Young Teens Setting: Pre-HBP Status: Completed Reviews: 5 Words: 31,336
Ron turned to say something to Harry, but Harry put his finger to his lips to indicate that he should be quiet and waved Ron up to his room. "Long time no see, Harry," Ron said, closing the door behind him as the fire the girls had used to Floo to Diagon Alley died out. "No kidding. How've you been?" Ron shrugged. "All right. Been spending some time with Hermione." "I noticed. How are you two getting along?" "Well, our arguments have gotten shorter...." They both laughed, and then Ron got quiet. "Chocolate frog for your thoughts," Harry offered, handing Ron a chocolate frog from his secret stash. Ron opened it, just managing to catch the frog as it leapt into the air. "Nice catch!" Harry praised. Ron waited for the frog to stop struggling before biting off a leg. "Well?" Harry prodded. "Don't know how to tell you, it's kind of embarrassing." "Come on, Ron, how bad could it be?" Harry's imagination was starting to drift. Ron's face went red. "Um, well, Hermione and I are getting… erm, serious." "I thought you two were already serious," Harry replied. "No, mate… I mean, serious." Something shifted in Harry's mind. "Have you two…?" Ron quickly shook his head. "No, not yet. We came close twice, though. I couldn't help it. It was as if I wasn't in control of myself. We were snogging, and then we were snogging more, and harder, and then… well…" "Well what?" Harry said a little too enthusiastically. "She touched my bum." Harry didn't know what to say. "Then I touched hers. And we just looked at each other, and I got the weird feeling, and she had this look in her eye like she was going to pounce on me or something, and then I thought I wanted to pounce on her too, though I wouldn't mind being pounced on, and… then, I just couldn't do it." Harry didn't dare tell Ron about Ginny. Not yet. Besides, Harry thought, this was more than he and Ginny had done, and he wanted to know more. "Have you two talked about it?" "Yeah, we did. We were both ready to give in to it, both times, but after the second time, we knew we had to stop and talk about it. Neither of us could say that we were ready. I wanted to so bad, but something held me back, and we both agreed that we had to figure out why we were holding back. I told her it wasn't because I didn't want to be with her or anything, or that I was having doubts about us. And I don't. I guess I just don't want to mess things up, you know?" Harry nodded. "I do, Ron. I feel the same away about Ginny and I don't think we're ready either. Besides, we have plenty of time for all that. We're just happy being together and are going to take our time with things... enjoy life, you know?" Harry almost said 'While we can', but barely remembered that Ron didn't know about the prophecy. Harry noticed Ron trying to say something. He was turning red again. "Harry, have you ever wondered how you'd know if… well, um… if you're doing it right?" Harry stood up straight. "Ron, my friend, it's funny you should ask." Harry moved over to his desk, pulled out the hidden drawer so that Ron couldn't see, and retrieved the book Remus had given him. He plopped it into Ron's lap and sat back down. "I'll let you borrow it every other week. We'll trade off." Ron stared at it, red as ever, and then started laughing almost uncontrollably. "It's not funny, mate, I serious! Remus said it was the best book out there. Honestly!" Ron recovered with much effort. "I know.... My dad and I had 'the talk' yesterday. He gave me his copy." Harry couldn't help it. He tried to hold back, but snickered through his nose, then let the laugh loose. Harry put his book back in its spot. "So it's been a while since we've played chess. Fancy a game?" Harry asked. "Actually, Harry, I had a better idea. Why don't we go down to Diagon Alley and buy something for the ladies?" "Why, Ronald Weasley, you romantic you!" "Yeah, right, romantic as a flobberworm, that's me. So? How about it?" "I think it's a great idea, let's go." A couple of Floo puffs later they were walking down Diagon Alley, going from shop to shop, looking in the windows, and trying to come up with ideas. "I dunno, mate. I've never shopped for a girl before," Ron said, stopping in front of the bookstore. "I know she spends a lot of time here, but I don't want her to think I like her just because she helps me with my homework, you know?" Harry nodded. "Agreed." Harry was just as lost as Ron. What on earth was he going to get Ginny? They passed by the shop where they had bought their dress robes for their first date. "I've got it, Harry; come with me," Ron said excitedly, grabbing Harry and running into the store. Ron navigated through the women's section to a small counter in the back. There was a strong scent of flowers there. "Can I help you?" asked a small witch, that Harry recognized from his previous visit. She had been helping Hermione and Ginny adjust their robes. "Um, yes ma'am. I'm looking for a perfume for my girlfriend. I don't remember the name, but I remember the bottle she was looking at." The witch brought up a parchment, unrolled it, and handed it to Ron. Ron scanned the paper and then smiled brightly, only to frown a moment later. "That's it," Ron pointed, handing the parchment to Harry. The perfume had a name Harry couldn't pronounce, but realized right away why Ron had frowned. It was very expensive. "Thanks, ma'am. I don't have the money for it right now, but at least I know how much I need." The witch smiled at him a little too motherly-like. "The prices on this parchment are for the 100 milliliter bottle," the witch said, pulling out another parchment and placing it before Ron. "We also sell our perfumes in 50, 25, and 10 milliliter sizes." Ron looked over the new parchment. "I have just enough for a 10 milliliter bottle. But it'll take all the money I have and all the money my dad gave me," he said quietly to Harry. To his surprise, Harry knew exactly what to say. "Do it, mate. Trust me." Ron handed his coin bag to the witch. "I'll take a 10 milliliter bottle of this perfume, please," he said quietly, pointing to the picture of the bottle. The witch reached under the counter and pulled out the bottle, put it into a small, red velvet bag, and handed it to Ron. "I should tell you, that much perfume will last your girlfriend a year with daily use." Ron cheered up considerably when she said this. Ron's mood had mellowed a bit by the time they got out on the street. "I hate being poor." Harry stopped Ron and swung him around, looking into his eyes. He stared at him, suddenly very serious. "Do you honestly think that matters one bit to Hermione?" "You're right, mate. I hadn't really considered that." He turned back to walk up the road. "Still, I wish I could buy her something more, you know? I wish I could just shower her with gifts all day long." A thought suddenly popped into Harry's mind. "Ron, you're a genius! Come on!" Harry took off down the street, heading for the Quidditch shop. Ron could barely keep up. Harry burst in and looked around frantically. Equipment lined the walls; Pads, helmets, robes, gloves, the works. Harry found the broom section and hurried over. He looked around anxiously for a moment, and then locked eyes on what he was looking for. They had a Firebolt in stock. "Don't get your hopes up. It's not cheap, and there was a chap in here earlier looking at it." Harry looked at the price. The wizard behind the counter was right, it wasn't cheap, but Harry didn't care. Money didn't matter. THIS was the right gift for Ginny. Like Harry, she loved to fly. She was as good at Quidditch as anyone else, and she deserved to have her own broom. Harry was going to see that she got the best. He grabbed his coin pouch and marched to the counter. He counted out the money very deliberately in front of the Wizard, whose eyes had moved from the Daily Prophet he was reading to the pile of coins on his counter. "I'd be most grateful if you would gift wrap it for me. For a lady. I'll be back in a little while to retrieve it," Harry said, sounding as grown up as he could. The man's eyes looked from the coin pile to Harry, then to Harry's forehead, and jumped a bit. "Mr. Potter! Of course, sir! Straight away!" Harry nodded, grabbed Ron by the arm, and strolled out of the shop. Once back on the street, Harry let go of Ron. "I'm sorry, Ron. I don't want to bum you out or anything, but she really deserves to have it." Ron was smiling, to Harry's surprise. "Ginny is one lucky girl, Harry. You know that?" Harry sighed. "No, Ron, I'm the lucky one." "Yeah, me too." Ron added. "You know, when I get a little more money saved up, I'm going to buy Hermione a necklace." Harry couldn't help himself anymore. "Ron, you know you're my best mate. And I know you're self conscious about your folks not being well of and all. You're a proud man, Ron, and I admire you for that. But just this once, will you let me do something for you? As a friend?" Ron looked surprised. "All right, Harry. But just this once." They walked down the street, stopping at the jewelry shop. They looked around quickly but thoroughly, making sure they didn't see any sign of Hermione or Ginny, then went inside. Harry was taken aback. He had never seen so many jewels or so much gold. There were other gems and stones here that he didn't recognize. Ron seemed to be less shocked than Harry. Oddly enough, Ron strolled on ahead of Harry and headed to the necklace counter. "Merlin's beard, it's still here," Ron said in relief. Harry joined him. "Which one, Ron?" Ron pointed to the one on the top row of the case, on the left side. The charm was a heart shaped book. Harry watched as the heart opened, revealing lined pages of gold inside. Words magically appeared as if etched by an tiny invisible quill: Your Name Here! "Ron, it's absolutely perfect!" "I know," he said reverently. "I know." An older wizard had appeared behind the counter. "May I help you with something?" he asked Harry. Then turning to Ron said, "Hello again, Mr. Weasley. Visiting your necklace again?" Ron looked at Harry who nodded back with a smile. "Not this time, sir. I've come to buy it!" The elderly wizard grinned. "Jolly good, Mr. Weasley, jolly good. You'll have to tell me how she likes it." With that, he carefully took the necklace out of the display case, set it on the counter, and swished his wand around it making the book go blank. Without a word, he swished his wand in the opposite direction, and the words Ronald Weasley wrote themselves into the pages, then faded, then wrote themselves again. The witch closed the heart gently, placed it into the box, and handed it to Ron. Ron held it as if he was holding the most precious thing in the world. "I'll have to give her this one last. Oh, I hope she likes it." "No worries," said Harry, slapping his friend on the shoulder. "She's gonna flip!" Just as the wizard looked like he was going to say something, the doors flew open and the twins entered, wearing their dragon hide robes. "Ah, there you are, we thought we saw you come in here," said Fred, wearing an annoying grin. "Whatcha got there, Ronniekins?" George taunted. "None of your business," Ron replied. "What do you two want?" "Mum and dad asked us to retrieve you," answered Fred. Ron looked at them, confused. He almost said something, but Fred and George raised their eyebrows at the same time. Now Harry was confused. Realization dawned on Ron's face. "Oh, right. Harry, I have to run!" Now Harry was really confused. "What? Why? Where are you...." But it was too late; Ron was running towards the door. He stopped, frozen, and turned back to Harry. "Harry, can you spot me for this? I'll pay you back tonight, I swear, I just have to… I'm already late. See ya, mate!" With that, he and the twins were gone. The wizard looked at Harry. "So that's how he's come to buy it at last." There was an understanding tone in his voice. Harry just nodded. "He's a proud one, that Ron. Well, seeing as I'm here, and there's romance in the air, I'll hazard a look at something myself." "Very good, Mr. Potter, sir." Harry started to look surprised, but figured everybody knew. "Your friend Ron talks about you fondly." Harry smiled at that; Ron really was a true friend. Harry spent the next ten minutes walking around the store. He went from case to case, looking at rings and bracelets and earrings and necklaces. He had just passed a very nice set with rubies and emeralds that reminded him of Ginny's hair and eyes when something caught his attention. He couldn't tell what he'd seen, but he noticed an empty spot on one of the shelves. As he looked at it, a box shimmered into view. "Well, now there's something interesting," The wizard said. "What is it?" Harry asked. Harry watched as the wizard retrieved the box. He was being awfully careful with it. Harry got the idea that the wizard was half shocked to see it. "This, Mr. Potter, is the rarest item in my shop. In fact, there are very few in existence." Harry looked perplexed. "Why is that?" "Because, Mr. Potter, they don't just appear for anyone. They only appear in very special circumstances." "Like what?" Harry asked. The wizard shrugged. "You tell me." Harry looked confused. "How should I know, it's your box." The old wizard grinned. "What I mean is, the box only appears for certain people. It's not always clear why right away, but legend has it that it appears when someone who has a very close connection to another walks by. It is said that the two people either have to be lovers, or are all but lovers, and that the connection between them must go beyond the realm of normal love, emotional and physical. That's what the legend says." Harry was weak. He knew it! He and Ginny MUST be destined for each other. "So what is it?" "They call it the Lovers Bond. Inside is a single charm necklace. You must take it to your true love, and grasping it together, you must make a pledge to each other. The pledge must be sincere, selfless, and straight from your very hearts. If you both make the pledge together, and the necklace judges you worthy, it splits in two and inscribes your names upon its halves." Harry's blood was on fire. This was it! He had to have it. He couldn't stand not to. "How much?" "I can't sell it to you." Harry suddenly was desperate. "But I must have it! I must! Please, you must sell it to me! Please." The wizard looked curiously at Harry. "Yes, Harry Potter, you must have it. But I cannot sell it to you because it is not a thing which can be sold. It was obviously meant for you, and as the legend says, such a thing is priceless, and must be with the one with whom it was destined to be." He picked up the box reverently and handed it carefully to Harry. Harry resisted the strong urge to open the box, but he decided to wait until he could be alone with Ginny. He carefully put the box into a pocket of his robe and retrieved his money pouch. He paid for Ron's necklace and turned to leave. "You have done great things already, Harry Potter. But your destiny still lies ahead. My best goes with you." Harry turned and nodded at the wizard, who bowed graciously in return. Harry retrieved Ginny's broomstick from the Quidditch shop, satisfied with the packaging. It was emerald green velvet tied off with gold chord. It gave no hint to its contents. Ginny was going to faint when she saw it, Harry was sure. As he walked back towards the Floo fire to headquarters, he noticed that the twins' shop was closed and unoccupied. Odd, he thought, but put it out of his mind. The twins were probably off chasing down another rare herb or something, which brought Harry's thoughts back to Ron. Why had he left in a hurry like that? What appointment did he have that he hadn't mentioned to Harry? He'd have to ask him about that. As he approached the fireplace, he was struck with another thought: With Voldemort still on the loose, why did they leave him alone in Diagon Alley? Dumbledore must have made some kind of arrangements, Harry thought. Putting the issue aside, Harry entered the fireplace and Flooed back to headquarters. Arriving at the Floo fire, he checked around to see if he was being watched. He pulled out his dark detector and, seeing that it was normal, stepped inside the fireplace and grabbed a handful of powder from his hidden stash. He concentrated hard on the image of the common room and threw the powder into the grate. Harry was sucked into the flame, flying fast and furious. Almost as quickly as it began, he was in the living room fire, staring out into… darkness. Harry took a tentative step into the room. He couldn't see anything. "Hello? Anyone here?" The lights went on so fast Harry was nearly blinded. "SURPRISE!" What the devil? The room was suddenly filled with people. All the Weasleys (minus Percy) where there, as well as the all the members of the Order that had helped Harry the previous summer. "Happy Birthday Harry!" Ginny yelled, running up to him and planting a big kiss on his lips. In the midst of all the excitement with Apparation and his relationship with Ginny, Harry had forgotten about his own birthday.
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