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Author: Sassenach Story: Residual Remains Rating: Teens Setting: AU Status: Completed Reviews: 7 Words: 49,143
Harry had been so wonderful, so vulnerable last night when he had finally admitted to her that he loved her. They had snogged for over an hour on the sofa before Harry’s pain and fatigue had finally forced him to lie down. Despite his protests, Ginny had once again levitated him, this time onto her bed. They had kissed tenderly once more before Ginny grabbed her mandarin-collared night dress and disappeared into the bathroom. As she had prepared for bed, Ginny stifled a giggle or two as she remembered all the talks she’d had with her mother about abstinence. She could hear Harry snoring through the closed door and knew her virtue was safe, at least for one night. She turned out the light, entered her bedroom and shook her head at what she saw by the moonlight spilling through the window: Harry was sprawled in the middle of the bed taking up the entire sleeping surface. Not wishing to disturb him, she sighed and went into the living room to find her wingback chair and the afghan her mother had made her as a housewarming gift. She levitated each item back into her room and then sat down facing the bed and Harry with her head resting against one of the wings and her legs folded up underneath her. Eventually, she had drifted off to sleep, to the steady rhythm of Harry’s snores. Now, as she tightened the belt of her green silk dressing gown around her waist, Ginny went into the bathroom to assess the damage she had procured from her meeting with Bellatrix. Besides her scraped knuckles, her forehead bore a bruise from hitting the inside of the fireplace. Pressing a finger to the spot, she winced in pain. She would have to concoct a cream to rejuvenate the bruised skin. After brushing her teeth and hair, she went to the kitchen to begin breakfast. Harry groaned in his sleep and turned over. A sharp pain in his side made his eyes fly open. The sunlight from the window irritated his eyes and he held up a hand to shade them. Reaching out into the covers, all he found was an empty space beside him. The clatter from the kitchen, told him that Ginny was already awake and more than likely cooking. Pulling himself out of the bed, he went into the bathroom to clean up. His hair was a mess, like usual, and stuck up in various directions. Deciding it was not worth fighting with, he finished getting ready. Settling down at the bar, he watched as Ginny moved about the kitchen making breakfast. She hadn’t noticed he was up yet and busily continued. After flipping the oatcakes, she pulled a large plate over to the stove. She had all ready scrambled eggs and fried rashers of bacon. Sliding the oatcakes off the pan, she switched the cooker off and turned to the bar. Surprised, she smiled as she placed down the serving plate in front of Harry. “Good morning. How do you feel?” He smiled gently at her. “Much better; did you make all of this for me?” “No, silly, this is my usual breakfast but I’m happy to share with you.” She stuck out her tongue playfully, before turning to get two plates and glasses. Coming around the bar, she took a seat next to Harry and poured him a glass of orange juice. “Before I forget; Ron Flooed. He wants to see you. I’m sure he’s going to lay into you for last night.” Taking the glass from her, he set it down next to his plate. “What for, the fight or for staying over last night?” Taking a bite of her bacon she answered, “Probably both.” Harry softly groaned. “I really don’t want to deal with him anytime soon.” “Well, you’re welcome to take cover here. I warned him about the barriers on the house, but I’ve got tons of work to do. I’m really behind on my orders.” She continued to eat the bacon on her plate. Harry began to cut the oatcakes on his plate. “I don’t want to get in your way.” “Oh, you’re not in the way. Trust me; I can mix a Wolfsbane potion while carrying on a full blown conversation.” She smiled confidently at him. Harry swallowed before stating, “Somehow, I don’t think Remus would approve of that.” Ginny harrumphed. “I don’t mess around when I make his potions. I was only saying that you can’t easily distract me, that’s all. Besides, if I messed up his potion the transformation would be horrible for him and I don’t want to put him through that.” Before Harry could comment, Ron’s voice rang out from the fireplace. Ginny got up from her seat and walked over to the small fireplace, standing in front of Ron’s floating head. “What do you want?” she asked. Her hands slid up and rested on her hips in annoyance. Ron looked around briefly, ignoring her obvious displeasure, before asking, “Where’s Harry?” “He’s eating,” she answered stoically. Ron made a face and stated, “I told you to tell him to come here the minute he woke up.” “Ron, relax, okay. I’m fine and I was hungry. Ginny made me breakfast and I stood a little longer. You don’t need to go barmy on her for being a good hostess.” Harry answered as he approached the fireplace. He sidled beside Ginny and caressed her lower back before she stepped away, knowing he wanted a moment to speak to Ron. At first, Ron didn’t know how to respond to Harry and the intimate gesture. “Well,” he mustered up in aggravation. “Hurry up and get over here because we have to talk,” he stated slightly peeved. “You could talk right now,” Ginny replied lightly over her shoulder as she moved toward the kitchen area. Harry watched as Ron struggled with his anger. “Ginny, this is private,” Ron managed to say through his tight lipped expression. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes, okay? Now can I eat in peace?” Harry asked as Ron’s face went from red to purple. Quirking an eyebrow at the highly agitated Weasley, Harry waited as Ron opened his mouth several times struggling to compose himself. Finally, Ron got a hold of himself and grumbled, “Yes, but if you’re not here in fifteen minutes-” “I know. I know, Ron. I’ll be there so just calm down,” Harry cut him off. Ron gave him a stiff look before disappearing. Harry turned to Ginny and grimly smiled. “I have to face him eventually. I might as well get it over quicker.” “Well, it’s you who is going to get killed not me,” she replied, before returning to the bar. She began to clear her plate as Harry took his seat and resumed eating. Sitting down, she sipped her orange juice and watched Harry eat. “I wonder what he’s going to yell at me for now,” Harry pondered out loud. “He probably wants to know if you had sex with me,” Ginny replied nonchalantly, as she sipped her juice. Harry choked on the piece of egg he was eating and coughed it out into his hand. Wiping his hand off on his napkin, he asked, “You think he’d ask something like that? I mean, we didn’t so he won’t be upset, but you really think so?” “Who knows? It’s Ron we’re talking about here. He’s probably the most overprotective of all my brothers.” She paused to contemplate her brothers and then amended, “Well, he doesn’t have the twins beat at any rate. I’d watch out for them, they’re more dangerous. Ron’s full of hot air compared to what they’ve got in store.” She finished her orange juice and got up from the bar to put it in the sink. “I hope he doesn’t ask me that,” Harry stated dismally. “That would be really awkward, trying to explain exactly what happened last night.” “If you want, I’ll tell him all the details.” She smiled, walking out of the kitchen. Harry looked up at her and said wryly, “If you do, he’ll surely kill me with the help of the twins.” She smiled demurely down at him. “Don’t worry I won’t let him.” Dropping down into the seat next to him she took his hand in hers. “Besides, I’d like to keep you around a while longer.” “Thanks.” He grinned. Drinking the last of his orange juice, he moved to stand up. Ginny released his hand and reached for his shirt, stopping him. Harry squirmed as she snaked her hand toward the hem, before she admonished, “I have to check on your cut. It should be healed by now, but I’d like to make sure.” “Oh,” he breathed as he tried to relax under her tentative fingers. “Try not to tickle me,” he babbled as he fought down the urge to fidget. She grinned wickedly as she pulled the hem of his shirt up and inspected her handy work. “It looks good to me,” she remarked absently. Harry blushed deeply and mumbled, “Thanks.” Ginny caught Harry’s embarrassment and flushed. “I just meant…well…the cut…it’s practically healed…I wasn’t saying that your chest….well….torso…looks good…not that it doesn’t,” she prattled off uncomfortably. Harry laughed, despite knowing it was probably a poor move on his part. He laid a comforting hand over hers and said, “Its okay, Ginny.” She looked deflated as she murmured, “Alright.” He stood up and stretched, before caressing her cheek. “I better go before he sends an entire squad of Aurors to come looking for me.” “Well, good luck and if he tries to kill you you’ve always got a place to stay,” she joked as her embarrassment subsided thanks to Harry’s reassuring touch. “Promise?” He grinned as he snaked an arm around her waist. She looked up into his eyes and breathed lightly, whispering, “Yes.” Kissing her goodbye, he left her in a happy daze. ~@~ The second Harry stepped through the door of his flat, he regretted waking up at all this morning. Ron didn’t even give him a chance to take his coat off. “What you did at Knockturn Alley was reckless and dangerous. You should have notified Gypsy or me that you were going to investigate on your own. You could have been seriously hurt and what’s worse is that you put Ginny in danger!” He accused Harry blatantly. Stunned, Harry shot back, “Do you have any idea what you just said to me? I probably saved Ginny and what’s more is that you’ve got the audacity to say that I put her in danger.” “Oh, no. Don’t try to flip this, Harry. You acted by yourself and left your partner behind. We had no idea where you were and when we found you, all we saw was you and Ginny disappearing in the fireplace, Flooing off to heaven knows!” Ron face was glowing redder than a tomato as he followed Harry through the apartment and into Harry’s bedroom. “Look, Ron, I don’t have time for this. I haven’t taken a shower and we have to be at headquarters in less than an hour.” Harry began to rummage through his drawers for fresh clothes. “Oh, well, that’s surprising. You spent the night at Ginny’s and you didn’t even shower before-” “Before what?” Harry snapped, whipping around and glaring at Ron. Ron narrowed his gaze at Harry. “You think I’m stupid, Harry. You spent the night with my sister and you expect me to believe that you didn’t spend the night with her? She’s not twelve anymore, Harry, and you’re certainly not thirteen. I think naivety is something neither of you possess anymore.” “Ron, I don’t really care what you believe. I know what did and didn’t happen and so does Ginny. Besides, she’s a big girl and can make those kinds of decisions herself.” Before the words were fully out of his mouth, Ron had seized him by the shirt front and pushed him up against the wall. Balling up the material of Harry’s cotton shirt in his fists, Ron came within an inch of Harry’s face. “I swear to Merlin, Harry, if you hurt my sister again I’ll kill you myself. She deserves better than that.” Taken back, Harry stared defiantly at Ron. After a moment he pushed Ron’s hand away as he replied harshly, “Don’t worry, it won’t happen.” Grabbing the clothes he had dropped on the floor, he walked out of the room leaving Ron to brood by himself. ~@~ The tension at headquarters seemed to increase the feeling of a small cramped space within the office building. Neither Ron nor Harry would speak to the other and instead they resorted to silently glaring at each other every few seconds when the other wasn’t looking. When Gypsy walked into work she immediately sensed the hostility between the two young men. “You don’t have to worry about filling out paperwork for last night’s attack. I took care of it.” She stated as she put a copy of the forms down onto Harry’s desk. Sarcastically, Ron intoned, “Good, because if we left it to him it would never get done.” Harry shot Ron a fiery glare before looking up at Gypsy. “Thanks, I appreciate it.” He pulled the paperwork towards him on the desk. “Not a problem,” she murmured in reply as she observed Ron’s face contort in frustration. “We took Mr. Borgin into custody for aiding a dangerous suspect. He’s in the holding cell waiting to be questioned. His lawyer is coming, so if we want to get a jump on him, we’ve got to go now,” Gypsy stated glancing from one to the other. The strain between them, she noted, was unbearable. “Well, I’d better do it so nothing goes awry like the last time,” Ron stated curtly as he made to move. Harry stood up abruptly, frowning at him. “I’m more than capable of questioning him. Besides, I think I’d know better what to ask him.” Harry replied evenly. “Yes, you must, since you’re so closely related to the dodgy witch who tried to kill my sister. After all, you practically helped her, so you can relate to Mr. Borgin in that sense!” Ron spat out ungraciously. Ron didn’t see Harry lunge at him nor had he anticipated the fist that connected with his jaw in a bone crushing thud. All he knew was that he was lying on the floor seconds later, clutching his jaw in pain. Gypsy jumped toward Harry and pulled him off of Ron. All the commotion called the attention of their superior, Alastor Moody. He hobbled over to their cubicles in a flash and was staring at the pair disagreeably. “What in bloody hell is going on in here!” he yelled gruffly. “Harry struck Ron, but he was provoked,” Gypsy answered as she kept pushing Harry away from Ron. “Oi, have you two lost your minds? The last thing I need is my two best Aurors to be fighting when we’ve got more than we can handle going on out there,” Moody scolded in annoyance. “You’ll regret saying what you did,” Harry fumed. “Sirius was a good man. Don’t ever slander his name.” His eyes blazed fiercely at Ron as he struggled to free himself. Ron, still holding his face replied vehemently, “No more than I regret letting you ever get near my sister.” “Leave her out of this!” Harry yelled and tried to take another swing at Ron. This time, Moody got in the middle and stopped him. “That’s it, I’m afraid I’m going to have to split you two up. Potter, get yourself together and Weasley I want you to move down the hall immediately. Pair up with Kenneth Towler,” Moody commanded. “Wait, who is my partner then?” Harry asked. “Gypsy-and I’ll have no word about it. Now, stop this squabbling and get back to work. If either of you takes another swing at the other, you’ll both be suspended for a month.” Having made his pronouncement, Moody left them. Gypsy walked over and helped Ron get up from the floor. Hastily, he began to pack the contents of his desk and with a piercing glare at Harry, he left. Gypsy turned to Harry and raised a brow to him. “Mind telling me why you two are fighting?” “Not really,” Harry answered as he dropped down into his chair. Shrugging her shoulders, Gypsy let it go and walked over to get her things so she could move in. Harry sat in his chair gloomily. He had never hit Ron before and it didn’t make him feel good at all. Flexing his hand, he tried to work the throbbing out of it. Well, at least it was a good punch, he thought morosely. Dropping his head to his desk, he began to wonder how in the hell he would be able to patch things up with Ron now. Ginny wasn’t going to be happy to hear that he’d hit Ron or that they’re fighting. ~@~ By five in the afternoon Ginny had finished more than ten orders and decided that she had done enough for the day. Cleaning up, she left the house to go down the street and eat. As she walked down the deserted street, she felt as if she was being watched. The feeling of paranoia crept up her spine and sent a shiver straight up to her neck. Looking over her shoulder, she checked to see if there was anyone even there. The street behind her was empty. Scolding herself for being a paranoid, chicken-hearted ninny, Ginny continued down the street. Still, the feeling didn’t leave her until she had entered the Three Broomsticks. It was about half past five and the dinner rush hadn’t really set in. As she began to sit down at a vacant table, Ginny noticed a red-headed bloke sitting up at the bar ranting to the bar tender. Knowing how Ron was drunk, she decided the chap was her brother. Getting up from her chair, she approached the bar and took a seat next to him. “I haven’t seen you drink in the longest,” she remarked, before asking the bartender for a drink. Ron turned his head to face her and she gasped as she immediately saw the dark bruise that travelled down the length of his jaw. “What happened to your face?” she asked instantly tracing delicate fingers over the purple tinged skin. “You’re so-called boyfriend,” Ron replied bitterly. Raising his cup to his lips he finished his drink swiftly. After ordering another, he looked at Ginny. “Harry did this to you? What did you say to him Ron?” she asked as she grabbed his chin and pulled his face toward her so she could get a better look at the bruise. “You’re taking his side?” Ron asked angrily as he pushed her hand away violently. “No, of course not- I’m not taking anyone’s side here,” she answered. Ron raised the fresh drink to his lips and sloppily downed it with one gulp. Setting the cup down hard, he raised his shirt sleeve to his lips and wiped his mouth with it. “Yeah, well, now you see how he really is.” “What are you saying, Ron?” She was appalled at Ron’s behaviour more than insulted by what he was implying about Harry. Turning completely toward her, he grabbed her hand and held it tightly. “Gin, I don’t want you seeing Harry anymore. He’s no good for you and he’ll only hurt you again.” Ginny shook her head in disbelief. Where was this coming from? This wasn’t the Ron that had been best friends with Harry since first year at Hogwarts. “Ron, you’re drunk and I’m not going to listen to you when you’re drunk,” she admonished standing up from her seat. He tightened his hold on her hand and her other hand came down over his trying to free herself from his deadly grip. “I’m not pissed, because I can see more clearly than I ever have before. You’re not to see him again, Gin, I forbid you.” His blue eyes fixed her in a cold, hardened stare. Her jaw dropped and she yanked her hand out of his grasp. As she worked the pins and needles out of her fingers, she replied, “Ron, you’re not my father. I can see whoever I want to.” He stood up from his chair and towered over her. “If you so much as let him stand on your doorstep, Gin, I’ll tell dad where you were last night and I’m sure he’d love to hear your explanations as to what you were doing at Knockturn Alley.” His words, though slightly slurred from his intoxication, rang hard in her ears. “You wouldn’t,” she hissed with a note of fear and repulsion in her voice. Her eyes were wide and she was horrified by this new Ron, this drunken crazed man that had replaced her warm and loving brother. “That’s blackmail and I’m not going to let you do that to me,” she barked. She turned to walk away then, but Ron caught her arm and held her there. Lowering his lips to her ear he stated earnestly, “Who is paying the bills for the shop right now? Think about it, Gin, he won’t pay a Sickle if he knows what you’ve been up to lately.” She looked rigidly up at Ron and stated, “You’re a brute. It never fails; you always find a way to bully me around.” He smiled at her suddenly and let go of her arm, feeling that he had won the battle. “Remember, he works for the Ministry of Magic, Gin, and he won’t tolerate your kind of behaviour.” Ginny shook the numb feeling out of her arm and stated angrily, “Go home, Ron, your behaviour is far worse.” Storming out of the restaurant, she rushed out onto the street. Feeling the tears brimming up into her eyes, she began to run for her house. He had manipulated her and hurt her. Worst of all, he made her feel as if Harry was only out to hurt her. The bruise on Ron’s jaw was living proof of Harry’s viciousness. Slamming the door shut behind her, she slid down to the floor crying. Why was this happening to her? Why was Ron doing this to her and why had Harry hit Ron? As these thoughts ran through her mind, she fought to control the waves of emotions that took hold of her. ~@~ Harry had been in no mood to work since he and Ron had the altercation early in the morning. It was six o’clock when he left Gypsy behind in the office. All he wanted to do was find Ginny and talk to her. Whenever he spoke to her, things seemed to make more sense and he felt better. Apparating outside her gate, he walked up to the door. He rang the doorbell once and waited for her to answer, but she didn’t. Maybe she had gone out to dinner, he supposed. Finally, Ginny opened the door a few inches. Harry stepped closer to the screen door to see her better. Her eyes were red and there were fresh tears streaming down her cheeks. Alarmed, he moved to open the screen door. Ginny put out her hand and stopped him, holding the screen door shut. “Ginny what’s wrong?” he asked as he released the latch and stared at her with concern. “Why did you do it, Harry?” she asked through her tears. He looked at her baffled. “Do what?” “Hit him. Why did you hit Ron? I saw him just a few minutes ago at the Three Broomsticks and it looks awful.” She wiped at her face and let go of the screen door handle. Harry took advantage of the opportunity and pulled the door open. Ginny stepped back and away from him. Why was she crying over him punching Ron? “Gin, I swear I didn’t mean to,” he said as he reached for her. She snorted and half laughed as she waved his hands away. “Well, for not meaning to, you sure got him good,” she grounded out. “I swear to you that I would have never hit him if he hadn’t provoked me. Ginny, it was wrong and I shouldn’t have hit him anyway, but I just couldn’t hold myself back after what he said.” Harry tried to explain but his words were failing. She shook her head sharply and continued to back away from him. “Harry, you don’t understand. What you did today just cost us big time.” She turned her back to him and stopped suddenly in the centre of the room. “What do you mean cost us?” Harry asked as he followed her into the main room. Ginny turned to him angrily. “What I mean is that we can’t see each other anymore.” His jaw dropped and he stared at her. In a choked voice he asked, “Are you serious? Just for hitting Ron, you don’t want to see me anymore?” “It’s more than that, Harry. It’s too complicated,” Ginny stated placidly, hoping that her voice wasn’t quivering with the painful emotions she was feeling at the moment. She couldn’t afford to let him know how much he had hurt her yet again. “You have to go.” “Wait, no, tell me why then?” He refused to leave without an explanation. Ginny shook her head and pushed him toward the door. “Just leave, Harry, okay?” “Ginny, don’t do this,” he pleaded with her as they reached the front door. “I didn’t do anything, Harry, you did. Now, get out.” she stated fiercely. He turned to argue more, but Ginny cried out in anguish, “Get out!” He stared at her for a moment, before nodding his head and walking out the front door. She slammed the door shut behind him and cried out into the solid mahogany wood. Falling to the floor once again, she continued to sob. He could hear her from outside, but he was too wounded and bewildered to try anymore. What happened just now was lost on him. The only part he understood was that Ginny had broken up with him before they became anything serious. He was lost as to the reason why she had done it in the first place. All he knew was that Ron was involved with it. A fierce rage washed over him and he knew he couldn’t go back to the flat and face the ruddy pillock. The only other place he could go was Hogwarts. ~@~ Hermione arrived at the boys’ flat around quarter past six and she was thoroughly annoyed. Ron had either stood her up on purpose or had completely forgotten to meet her at her office, which she concluded still counted as standing her up. She was hoping he would be home, but saw that no one was there- not even Harry. Well, she wasn’t going to go anywhere just yet. She wanted to fully enjoy lecturing him on good manners when he came back. Thankfully, it wasn’t too long of a wait. A very drunk and sloppy Ron stumbled through the doorway. Tossing his cloak toward the hooks, he missed and it dropped to the floor. Shrugging, he continued to walk into the flat. Hopefully, Harry wasn’t home and he wouldn’t have to deal with him. Hermione rose from her seat on the couch and watched him stagger into the room. Damn, I don’t have Harry to deal with but Hermione is far worse, he thought to himself, as he noticed her for the first time. “Are you drunk?” she asked as her voice began to take on that reprimanding tone he was so used to. “No,” he answered weakly. He leaned onto a nearby chair for balance and smiled at her crookedly. “It’s so good to see you, what are you doing here?” “So, you did forget about meeting me after work then? But I guess alcohol does that to one’s memory capability,” she chastised him. “Oh, Hermione, I’m so sorry about that. I had a really rough day at work and Harry and I aren’t really talking right now.” He began to explain, but she was moving across the room wildly staring at him. “What in Merlin’s name happened to your face?” “That’s the reason why Harry and I are no longer speaking.” He smiled slightly. “He did that to you?” she asked bemused. She just couldn’t believe that Harry would strike Ron, ever. “Yes, the bloody berk took a cheap shot at me. Don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt.” He waved her hands away from his face. “What happened between you two? I don’t believe Harry would hit you for no reason.” She led him over to the couch and made him sit down. “Well, you see, I was kind of upset at him for staying over Ginny’s last night. I guess I said a few things I shouldn’t have.” He was beginning to feel ashamed. “What did you say, Ron?” He could tell by her tone that she was not pleased with him at all. “I kind of blamed him for Bellatrix attacking Ginny last night and I also said he was closely related to her. You know, because of Sirius.” He cringed in anticipation, knowing that Hermione was going to get shirty with him. “First off, you didn’t tell me Ginny was there at the attack yesterday. Secondly, where the in Merlin do you get off saying things like that to Harry? You know damn well that Sirius had nothing to do with Bellatrix. Harry loved that man, and that’s an insult to his memory.” Just hearing Hermione curse, told Ron that she most definitely was not pleased. “So I take it you’re upset with me?” he murmured as he peered at her cautiously. She laughed slightly in annoyance. “Let me put it this way, I’m going to make your face hurt for Harry.” “Oh, come on, Hermione! He has no business fooling around with my sister’s heart again. What he did yesterday was reckless and dangerous, and he could have gotten them both killed.” The shame was replaced by anger once again. Hermione’s brows rose in unison. “Don’t raise your voice with me Ronald Bilius Weasley!” She had used his middle name, he knew he was done for now. “I’m sorry, Hermione. I think I should just go lay down.” He stood up and swayed a bit. She pulled him back down to the couch. “No, Ron. You need to speak to Harry as soon as you are sober and apologize for what you said.” Ron looked at her aghast. “Are you kidding me? I’m not apologizing to him after what he did to my face! No way, he’d better apologize first.” He crossed his arms over his chest defiantly. Hermione shook her head in frustration. “Sometimes, I don’t know why I put up with such immaturity from you.” She stood up and looked down at him. “Ron, I hope you grow up soon, because if you don’t, you’re going to lose your best friend and there’ll never be another like him.” With that, she left him to his drunken stupor contemplating what she meant by saying he was immature.
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