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Author: Roxy Story: The Way Home Rating: Teens Setting: Pre-DH Status: Completed Reviews: 14 Words: 14,061
Remus Lupin sat at the counter in the Leaky Cauldron, a Firewhisky in one hand. His fiancée, Nymphadora Tonks, had just announced to him that she was pregnant before Flooing back to work at the Ministry. She was working the night shift. His mind was plagued and his head throbbing with ideas of werewolf children. The last thing he ever wanted to do was pass on his lycanthropy to a defenseless child. He had been happy taking on Harry as a surrogate, but he knew as well that Tonks needed to experience the joys of motherhood. He downed the amber liquid in one burning shot and asked for another. He was happy that he was able to give Tonks something she so desperately wanted. With the chatter with Ginny, she had realized everything she was missing out in life. What if I pass it on? What if I bite him? He sighed heavily. He never wanted anyone to have to go through the pain and suffering, the loneliness and depression because of his condition, let alone his own child. He had already lost Harry, what would happen if he mistakenly killed his own child? He downed another glass. The door to his left opened, a jingling bell signaling another arrival to the pub. “Dear, Merlin,” Tom the barkeep breathed, his hand going to his forehead. His eyes were trained on the visitor. Remus had never seen him act so surprised, so he turned in his seat. “Oh, God,” he whispered, staring at a carbon copy of his late best friend. The Firewhisky was playing tricks on his troubled heart. He couldn’t take this. When the man just stood there, his bright green eyes staring hard at him, he couldn’t stop his mouth. “Harr-Harry? Oh, God.” Within a split second, he launched himself from the barstool, knocking it over, and wrapped his arms around his son, his best friend’s son. Harry stiffened at his touch, but relaxed in an instant. Remus felt the drippings of tears on his shoulder as he held him closely. “God, Harry, we thought you were dead.” Harry just sniffed, nodding his head as he held his last remaining connection to his family. “I need Ginny,” he whispered, the despair in his voice ripping at Remus’ heartstrings. When the young man pulled back, he wiped his eyes. Everyone in the pub was watching the reunion in stunned disbelief. The wizarding world, Remus, even Tonks thought the man standing there, battling his brave front, was dead. “Tom, can we use the Floo?” Remus asked, his hands still gripping Harry’s arms. He was almost afraid to let him go, afraid that he might disappear again in the blink of an eye. “No! I can’t go there! They’re watching for me! Bring her here; get everyone away from the Burrow. Get Tonks to look inch-by-inch. They’re there waiting for me. She’s not safe, please.” His eyes were wide and desperate, his voice panicky, and Remus nodded. “Fred and George’s. Bring her there.” “Can you get there on your own?” “Yeah, I just need you to open the wall. I don’t have a wand anymore.” “Damn it. You’re not going alone if you’re unarmed. Let’s go.” Remus pulled him by the arm to the wall behind the pub. He tapped the brick with his wand and led the way. Thankfully, with it being past dark, the shops were closing and not many people were out and about. Remus stopped in front of number 93 and began beating on the locked door. The sign in the window read, “Sorry, mate, we’re closed.” He kept pounding, hoping for one of the two to answer. Remus didn’t know what was taking so long until with a splash, he was covered in water, a broken balloon lying at his feet. “Damn it! Fred, George, get your arses down here now!” he yelled into the open window above him. “Moony? What’s the deal?” Fred called down, his head poking out of the window. Harry stepped back a few steps, glaring at the twin in the window. “Holy crickets. I’ll be right down. George -” His voice was cut off, but the clear sound of feet pounding down the stairs was heard. A second later, the door was flung open and Harry was pulled inside forcefully. He swayed a second and grabbed Fred’s shoulders for support. “Don’t do that to me! Damn!” Harry barked, swallowing hard. His pallor had become slightly green. “God, Harry, where have you been?” “There’s no time! Get Ginny out of that house, now! She’s not safe there with me gone.” “Ginny’s in trouble?” George asked, coming to stand behind his twin. “Yes, bring her here, please!” Without another word, the pair grabbed a couple of small, clear plastic packages and threw them into the dying fire. Remus stood there, watching Harry carefully. The young man walked gingerly to a chair beside the door to the stairs. “Moony, can you get Tonks, please? There’s Death Eaters swarming the place and when Fred and George pop in there and leave with her, they’re going to know what’s going on,” he asked, his voice sounding defeated as he lowered his head into his hands. “Sure thing, Harry.” He’d do anything for his son. He brandished his wand and shot a silvery figure into the air, watching as the dog left. Within a silent moment, a silver wolf appeared. “I’m on my way,” it spoke in an echoing voice. Remus collapsed onto the floor beside his charge, the Firewhisky catching up to him. He was still too shocked to comprehend what was happening. Seated next to him was a boy he thought to be dead, but Harry was definitely not. He couldn’t think straight, his mind was whirling. ..::..::..::.. “Take it easy, Ginny,” her mother soothed, helping her to sit down in a chair. She had just been released from hospital and found her muscles were tired and her head was swimming. She was exhausted. “I’m going to make you some supper and bring it over, okay?” “You don’t have to, Mum, I’ll be fine. I’ll just find something here.” “Nonsense. I’m going to bring something over everyday if you don’t come to us and tonight, you’re tired, so you stay here. I’ll be back in about an hour.” Mrs Weasley kissed the top of her daughter’s head. “Love you, baby.” “Love you, too, Mum. See you in a bit.” Her mother left, leaving her alone for the first time in nearly two weeks. She had never been alone the entire time she was in hospital, either Hermione, Ron, one of the twins, her mum, her dad or Bill had been there and if they weren’t there, one of the nurses or a counselor was present. By the time the first seven days were up, she was nervously tugging at her hair. She was going batty with the constant supervision. She sighed deeply, snuggling into the familiarity of the chair. She was home, the last place she shared with Harry. The place in just a few months, she was going to share with James. She rubbed her hand over her belly and smiled contentedly before falling into a peaceful nap. “Gin-Gin!” Ginny sat up quickly, her heart racing at the sound of her name as only her brothers would say it. Fear gripped her noting the panic she had heard. “Ginny!” It was one of the twins; their voices were burned in her memory. “Fred? George?” She slowly got to her feet just as they burst into her bedroom. “What’s wrong?” she asked when she saw their serious and rushed expressions. Their faces were red in panic and worry. “We’ll explain later. We need to get you to the shop,” Fred replied, grabbing her arm and pulling her to the stairs. Ginny nearly tripped following after him, but George, behind her, grabbed her around the waist, preventing any injury. The pair of them pushed her into the green flames and she tumbled out of the fire in their shop, stumbling. A pair of strong arms caught her and righted her . She felt her heart skip a beat when she found herself staring into a pair of intense green eyes. Her hand went to her mouth and her head began swimming. Oh, Merlin! Her heart felt like it was on fire just seeing him for the first time in almost three months. A sob ripped through her throat and tears flooded her vision. Is it really him? Her mind was playing tricks on her again. This was all a dream. It has to be. Harry’s gone! His lips fell upon hers, his hands desperately grabbing at her back in an effort to hold her tightly to him. When his lips began moving over hers and his tongue ran over her bottom lip, begging for permission to enter, she shivered in the explosion of emotion coursing through her. She blissfully forgot everything around her, where she was, what was happening. Harry was kissing her again! Harry Potter, her husband, was holding her tightly. When he pulled back, both were panting. “Merlin, Gin,” he whispered into her hair. He held her at arm’s length. One of his hands traveled down to the bulge, caressing her stomach lovingly. The rest of the room no longer existed. Ginny noticed the tears in his eyes, but she couldn’t form words. She wanted to do nothing but kiss him and hold him for the rest of their lives. She blinked, releasing tears of her own. “I thought I lost you.” She grabbed his hand and moved it to the side where James was kicking her hard. “That’s your son,” she whispered, smiling tearfully at his awed expression. She felt her heart soar when he looked back up at her, his eyes full of love. He kept his hand over James’ foot, his other one wrapping into her hair, pulling her head to him and capturing her lips again with his. She sighed into his kiss, tangling her fingers in his hair. Pleasure-filled shivers ran up and down her spine with the longed for feeling of his mouth on hers. He moved his desperate kisses over her jaw and down her neck. She couldn’t help the soft moan that escaped before he pulled away again, his face flushed with passion. The cold air of the twins shop swept over her flustered skin, bringing her forcefully back to earth. “Merlin! Mum’s going to have a heart attack!” she announced. “She was going to bring me dinner.” “Moony, can you get them out of there until Tonks has a chance to canvass the place?” Harry asked, his arm firmly wrapped around Ginny’s shoulders. She was molded to his side, her own arms wrapped around his waist, her head pillowed against his chest. “What’s going on, Harry?” Fred asked as Remus shot off his silvery dog. “Wait until your mum and dad get here, then I’ll explain everything.” He kissed Ginny atop her head right as the flames erupted bright green, illuminating the shop. Mrs Weasley stumbled out of the grate and brushed the ash off her robes. When she looked up, her eyes locked on Harry and Ginny wrapped together tightly. Tears filled her eyes and, like her daughter, her hand went to her mouth. “Sweet Merlin,” she whispered, ignoring her husband’s entrance and stepping to her son-in-law. Her arms engulfed both him and Ginny, tightly holding them to her as she let her tears flow. “Harry?” Mr Weasley asked, looking just as stunned as his wife at his presence. “Hey, Dad,” he replied, his voice cracking. He untangled himself from the Weasley women and embraced the balding man. “I’m going to run over and get Ron and Hermione. I think they should be here as well,” Fred announced, breaking through the joyous tears of reunion. He wiggled past them and threw a packet of Floo powder into the grate, disappearing from the shop. Harry backed away from Mr Weasley and rejoined Ginny, pulling her to his side, under his arm. “Harry, I need to sit down,” she whispered into his ear. She felt him shiver when her breath hit his neck. “Oh, right, sorry.” He led her to the chair beside the door to the staircase and helped her to sit. He kneeled beside her. “You okay?” She smiled, her heart beating furiously at him being so close. She was afraid it was going to pound out of her chest. So long had she waited for his return and now, here he was, right in front of her, his hand running over her belly. His eyes lowered from hers to his hand and he frowned. “They told me they killed him that day,” he whispered so only she could hear. Remus, who was sitting on the floor nearby, raised his head in alarm, his eyes locked with Ginny’s for a split second, both getting a glimpse of the kind of torture he had suffered. When the dark room lit up green, he got back to his feet, kissed her forehead and walked over to where her parents were standing with George in front of the fire. “Harry!” Hermione shrieked, launching herself into his arms. She squeezed him tightly, tears flooding down her cheeks. “Merlin, I’m so happy you’re all right!” “Me, too,” he breathed into her hair. After a few moments, when neither of them were letting go, Ron interrupted. “Hermione, I’m going to start getting jealous if you don’t get off of him,” he said in his most stern voice, but Ginny could see the traces of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Hermione let go, wiping at the tears on her cheeks, smiling sheepishly at the boys as they hugged, slapping one another’s back. “Good to see you, mate,” Ron grinned, backing up and pulling Hermione to his side. “Right, now the whole lot’s here, let’s go upstairs so Harry can tell us what the bloody hell’s going on,” Fred offered, helping Ginny to her feet again. She had to admit, the getting helped up bit was a little annoying. She was getting sick of not being able to get up herself. She waited for Harry to join her and she wrapped her arms around his waist. They followed everyone upstairs and Harry sat on the sofa, pulling Ginny into his lap. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled her head against his chest, feeling safe and protected in his arms once again. She knew she looked like a little kid at the moment, cuddling up in her daddy’s arms after a nightmare, but she didn’t care. She needed the strength that always seemed to radiate off of Harry. She needed to be a part of him, get as close as possible. She felt like she wouldn’t be able to breathe if he was too far away. She sat there on his lap, listening to him as he explained everything. His voice rumbling through his chest was making her drowsy, but when he mentioned Lucius Malfoy and everything he had witnessed, she sat upright in alarm. “He was watching me?” Her eyes were as wide as saucers as she stared at her husband. “It was his favorite form of torture. He loved to tell me what you had or had not been wearing that day. He described the towels you used after your bath, everything,” he replied, defeated. He lowered his head. “I knew that the moment I escaped, they’d have the house swarming with people. I’m surprised they hadn’t taken you already as bait.” “Er… well, I haven’t been there in a while. I, er, was in hospital.” She pulled at her lower lip with her fingers, knowing it was going to make him feel worse that his abduction had been the reason she couldn’t eat or sleep for so long. She couldn’t look at him. She felt guilty for putting their child at risk. His fingers gripped her chin softly, forcing her to look at him. At first, her eyes stayed diverted from his, but when he didn’t move and had no intentions of letting go, she looked deep into his green eyes. “I’m sorry. It was all my fault,” she whispered desperately, forgetting about the others in the room for the second time that night. “I-I hurt James. I’m so, so sorry. I missed you so much… I couldn’t eat… it made me so sick.” Tears were falling fast down her face and Harry grabbed her tightly into a hug, weaving his fingers in her hair. “Shh… it’s okay. Please, don’t cry anymore. Please…” he soothed, rubbing her back. She felt his strength filling her very being. James squirmed inside of her then kicked hard and she let out a snort, pulling away. She looked around at all the faces of her beloved family and smiled sheepishly. “James is still punishing me for that little stunt,” she replied, rubbing the spot where his foot had made contact. “Forget Quidditch, I think Dean Thomas has a candidate for his football team.” “Yeah, right, my nephew’s not playing a pansy Muggle sport,” Ron objected hotly, but his expression was playful. Ginny leaned back against Harry again and watched her entire family talk easily with one another. She felt like she was flying. Everyone in that room was ecstatic to have Harry back, to have their brother, their son and their best mate back. Again, his soothing voice and rhythmic heartbeat began to lull her into a blissful sleep. ..::..::..::.. Harry stayed up in the living room, his hand absently running through his wife’s hair. He couldn’t even explain the feelings rushing through him. He never wanted to leave her again. The events of the past day were catching up to him and he was exhausted, but he couldn’t close his eyes. He had to watch her as she slept, her head comfortably resting in the crook of his arm as if she was a baby. He smiled. In a few months, he’d have a baby to hold like this. He couldn’t express the joy he felt the moment he saw her stumble out of the grate, front heavy with a healthy child in her womb. It was the same child he had been tortured with by hearing the details of how he was murdered. Harry realized that they hadn’t talked as much about his murder as they did with talking of Ginny because it was all based on a lie. He still hated the fact that Lucius Malfoy had been close enough to impede his wife’s safety. She was his heart and soul. If anything happened to her, he wouldn’t be able to survive. They were bonded in such a way that without the other, one could not live. Instinctively, he held her closer. It was nearing daybreak and he let out a deep yawn. Everyone had stumbled to bed about 2 a.m. Mr and Mrs Weasley were sharing George’s bed while he and Fred literally split Fred’s bed into two. Ron and Hermione Flooed back to their flat down the road. Remus crashed on a camp bed across the room and Harry had insisted on sitting here with Ginny in his arms. Just as the sun was rising over the horizon outside the window, a silver wolf appeared. “Remus, all clear. Caught thirteen,” Tonks’ voice sounded throughout the room. He felt Ginny start at the sound and she blearily opened her eyes. Remus was sitting straight up in his camp bed looking around, confused. “Wha-was that?” “Tonks said it’s all clear,” Harry repeated. He rubbed his eyes and looked down again at the angel in his arms. She smiled up at him and lifted an arm, tangling her fingers in his hair. She pulled his head down and kissed him thoroughly. “Good morning,” she murmured against his lips. “I’ve missed waking up in your arms.” He leaned in again, capturing her lips, trying to force those thoughts from her mind. He wasn’t going anywhere ever again without her beside him. He felt her twisting a strand of his hair at the nape of his neck and he shivered. She smiled into the kiss, but never removed her lips from his and he was grateful. It had been far too long since he felt so warm, secure and loved. A throat cleared, forcing them back to reality. He looked up and blushed, seeing Mr Weasley standing above them with a silly grin on his face. “Well, now that we know what led up to James, can we all go home?” Harry blushed crimson and Ginny just laughed at him. He had never got used to public displays of affection, even though they had been together so long. He had never initiated a kiss when someone was in the room, but after last night, she knew he had changed for the better in that subject. “Just a minute, Dad,” Ginny said, pulling him down to her again. She snogged him senseless for a few more moments and it seemed like too little when she finally let him go. He groaned when the cold air froze his overheated body. He wanted more of her right now. He just wished everyone would leave so he could have his way with his wife, but that was not meant to be at the moment. Ginny stood up and tugged on his hand to pull him to his feet. “If everyone goes to the Burrow, I’ll make breakfast. Remus, please invite Tonks. We’d love to have her,” Mrs Weasley requested. The whole day was spent greeting family and friends. Everyone wanted to see Harry alive and well and hear his tale of escape. Tonks went on to tell her side. There had been four Death Eaters inside the house. Ten more were stationed around the outside and two watching the Burrow. All of them had been the newest recruits of Voldemort before his demise and none of them Lucius Malfoy or Severus Snape as Harry had guessed. They had escaped capture once more. “No sign of Draco Malfoy either,” she informed them. Harry’s face darkened. “There wouldn’t be,” he said quietly. He knew Ginny noticed his change in demeanor because her arms circled his waist. “What do you mean?” Tonks asked quietly. “They had him chasing me. He nearly caught me; he would have killed me if he did. I-I had no choice.” He closed his eyes tightly, burying his face in Ginny’s hair. “Harry?” her voice was trembling, but he just held her tighter. “Harry, what happened?” “I killed him. I didn’t mean to. I-I jus-I didn’t mean to.” Ginny pushed him back so he would look at her. “Harry, he would have killed you. It was self defense, love.” Ginny’s hand ran delicately over his face, her fingers tracing his jaw-line. He turned his face into her hand and kissed her palm before he opened his eyes. His locked on hers and for a moment he lost himself in their chocolate depths. “I love you, Harry,” she whispered. “I love you,” he replied. Neither of them noticed Tonks slipping away and joining Remus and the rest of the party, a knowing smile on her face. Ginny pecked him on the lips. “Let’s go home.” Finis
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