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Author: St Margarets Story: The New Zealand Chronicles Rating: Teens Setting: Pre-DH Status: Completed Reviews: 20 Words: 170,671
She didn't remember exactly what Harry said, but he did promise 'nevra' to leave her again if he could help it and she was planning on holding him to it. The weather improved and the post brought several bits of good news, so by dinnertime, Ginny was feeling cheerful. Hermione had been granted permission to leave Shangri-la and would be able to attend their wedding. Ron would be ecstatic, Ginny thought, and Harry, too. Ginny also received a letter from Luna, who was now in Hawaii waiting for the volcano to cooperate for the virgin-throwing ceremony. Whether the volcano was supposed to explode or lie dormant was unclear, but it didn't matter since Luna declared that she was "enjoying the sights and sounds of the tropics." Ginny smiled at that last line. It was all too easy to picture Luna sitting with her legs dangling over the fiery rim of a volcano – humming and idly weaving something out of palm fronds while a line of impatient witches in grass skirts queued behind her. Besides waiting for her volcano, Luna had been keeping up with the British papers and thought the pictures of Harry and Ginny in the river pool quite lovely. She didn't say a word about the disparaging headlines or articles, but she did mention that Ginny shouldn't wear any of those wedding robes Witch Weekly selected since they all made her "head look big." Fortunately, Luna thought Ginny's head growth was a trick of the photography, rather than any expansion in size, so she was still planning on sending her a normal length of garland for her hair. Ginny was happy to hear it since Mum was still trying to convince her to wear Great-Aunt Muriel's tiara, although with less and less stridency. Now that the wedding plans were made, Mum had stopped focusing on Ginny and was turning her sights on Fleur and the baby that was due any day now. To further complicate matters, Fleur was going to stay at the Burrow the week before the wedding since Bill had a business trip scheduled and he didn't want Fleur on her own. While Ginny had come to accept Fleur as a sister-in-law, she still found it trying to be around her. Mum had the fond hope that the new baby would bring them all closer together and maybe "mellow" Fleur a bit. Ginny wasn't holding her breath. What did bring the family together – or at least the remnants of the family still in England – was Charlie's arrival a week before the wedding. His last visit had been a year before when he had introduced them to his wife, Kathleen. It was just like Charlie to present them with a fait accompli the very moment they were celebrating the war's end. Mum was so happy that Charlie had finally settled down – and with a British girl to boot – that she didn't remonstrate them for eloping. Kathleen was so quiet and …well…ordinary that Ginny couldn't decide if she was the right girl for Charlie. Ron found this endlessly amusing since Ginny's problem with Kathleen was the polar opposite of her problem with Fleur – and besides, Ginny couldn't do anything about Charlie's choice anyway. While all of this was true, Ginny was anxious to see how Charlie was faring after a year of married life. Hopefully he hadn't changed too much. The moment she saw him stumble out of the Floo – just in time for dinner – Ginny realized Charlie hadn't changed a bit. He was tanned and smiling and carrying some sort of foul Romanian liquor for Fred and George that would choke a dragon. He submitted to Mum's tearful hugs with good grace and ate as much as all of them put together. The only thing that worried Ginny was that Kathleen had not accompanied him. "She has a deadline," Charlie explained through bites of mashed potato. "September first." "She could write here," Mum said after expressing her disappointment. "The house is quiet." Percy snorted derisively. "Fred and George live at the shop now," Ginny said pointedly to Percy. Kathleen should have come and Percy didn't need to be sticking up for her. "We're not that loud," Fred protested. Percy rolled his eyes. "Even without you lot, it's distracting here. The ghoul's loud." "Kathleen's only writing romance novels, Perce," George said. "Not cauldron bottom reports." "Don't let Kathleen hear you say that," Charlie interjected. "She takes her writing seriously." By the warning tone of Charlie's voice, Ginny knew that he took it seriously as well and that they should, too. The subject of Kathleen was dropped, although Ginny felt increasingly uneasy. Charlie's wife should be with him. What kind of cold fish was she that a family wedding wasn't as important as her career? Her worry increased when she noticed Charlie grip his fork so tightly that the muscles stood out in his arm while he was patiently listening to Fleur talk about her latest check-up with the Healers. Fleur seemed oblivious to Charlie's tension – or Mum's for that matter – when she declared that the baby she was carrying was a girl. Mum was equally convinced that Fleur was carrying a boy, since "Weasleys simply didn't have girls." Ginny cringed. She knew what was coming next. "Right you are, Mum," Fred said. "The Weasleys have –" "Princesses–" "Who turn into –" "Bridezilla." "Boys," Dad warned. "Sorry, Ginny," Fred said, not sounding sorry at all. "Charlie." George's brow furrowed. "Can you tell if an egg will hatch a male or female dragon?" "Yes, by the shape," Charlie replied, choosing to ignore the mockery in George's voice. "The male egg is more elongated, the female egg is rounder. Unless it's an Australian Opal Eye –" "That iz so interesting, Charlie," Fleur said, batting her eyes. "So it iz ze shape not wheder ze males run in families of dragons?" Ginny sighed. Fleur was incapable of agreeing with or even trying to placate Mum. Charlie shrugged, seemingly oblivious to the Bludger field he was to flying into. "Dragon breeding is pretty straightforward, but I don't think you can compare –" Fred's jaw dropped. "Charlie! Dragons don't hold the key to –" "Everything?" George was agog. "We thought you were a true believer." Charlie smiled, but Ginny noticed that the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. Penelope then changed the subject by asking Fred and George about their Spinning Quills and whether they thought it a good idea to sell them to the media, which was always distorting the news anyway. "Ha!" Fred answered, glancing at George. "The Quill spins their words into the truth," George crowed triumphantly. Charlie returned to his supper and Ginny watched his bent head. Something was up with him. She resolved in the next few days to find out what it was. Charlie – like a dragon – was straightforward. She should be able to wheedle it out of him. * Her chance came the next morning when she finally screwed up her courage to attempt a flight around the orchard. She slipped out to the broom shed before breakfast, thinking that no one would be up to see her stare at the brooms before getting on one. If she could just go slowly, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. "Still sneaking around the broom shed, I see?" Charlie said as she opened the door and peeked inside. She jumped. "Charlie! What are you doing up so early?" "Portkey lag," he replied, crossing his arms over his chest. "Why are you skulking around?" "I'm not skulking." She lifted her chin. "I just fancied some peace and quiet before breakfast." "Fleur is still sleeping and no one else is in the house besides Mum," he pointed out. "You don't need to skulk." Damn. She was going to have to come up with a better story than that. "Reporters. I want to fly before there's a risk of reporters seeing me." "Ginny, Dad took care of that. They couldn't come near this part of the property anyway." His brown eyes narrowed. "What's up with you?" "Nothing," she retorted. "Same as nothing is up with you." It was his turn to be caught by surprise. "What did Percy say?" "Percy?" Now she was bewildered. "I worked it out because you seemed so different at dinner. And Kathleen isn't here." He sighed. "I knew you'd be upset that she wasn't here. And believe me, she's not trying to snub you or Harry or make any kind of a statement." "Why should I believe that?" "Because I told you." His eyes blazed. Ginny felt ashamed of herself. Charlie never lied. "Okay." She held up her hand in apology. "Are you going to tell me the whole story?" He looked at the cloudless sky. "I reckon I have to." He gave her a sideways glance. "I'll tell you while we're flying." She froze. It was going to difficult enough to hide her nervousness without having to listen to something this important in Charlie's life. "I thought so," Charlie said softly. "Thought what?" She tossed her hair back. "You're afraid to fly after your accident." His eyes were warm, but his voice warned her not to deny it. Her shoulders sagged. "Stupid," she whispered. "Not stupid, understandable." Charlie said briskly, opening the door of the broom shed and poking his head inside. "Mother of Merlin, this looks like a broom museum. Are any of them serviceable?" Ginny laughed. "I don't know. I haven't been out all summer and Ron and Harry have been at Fred and George's…." "Uh. Nothing is more pathetic than a neglected broom." Charlie blew the dust off an old Clean Sweep and handed it to her. "Check out the twigs and do a Hover check." The minute she felt the wooden handle under her fingertips, Ginny remembered everything good and right and wonderful about flying. She took out her wand and ran it over the scarred broom handle. "It's okay," she reported after a few minutes of fussing with the twigs. Charlie had chosen and rejected three brooms before he found a Nimbus that he thought skyworthy. "Let's go," he prompted as he mounted the Nimbus. She swallowed and gingerly climbed on the Clean Sweep. "What were you – six – seven when you were sneaking around teaching yourself to fly?" "You knew?" she gasped, hardly noticing they were ascending gently into the air. Charlie grinned. "Bill and I saw you one day. He wanted to play prefect and tell Mum, but I talked him out it." "Why?" "Because you were born to the broom – and you were going to do it anyway, so there was no use worrying Mum and having her watch you like a hawk." Ginny giggled. "I thought I was being so stealthy." "Oh, you were," he assured her. "Percy never knew." He laughed. "And if Fred and George ever found out, they surely would have told on you." "Or tried to knock me off." Ginny laughed nervously as she looked at the tops of the trees in the orchard. Charlie laughed. "That, too." They flew in a wide, sweeping circle. A bird flew up from one of the trees, startling her, although she managed to swallow her scream. "That broom that caused the accident came from below you, didn't it?" Charlie asked. Ginny nodded since her heart was pounding too hard for her to talk. "There aren't any more birds below us – they've all flown off," he said in a soothing voice. She took a deep breath. Charlie was right, of course. They always surprised the birds as soon as they arrived in the orchard and then they weren't a bother again. They did another circuit, before Charlie spoke again. "The Healers won't let Kathleen travel. That's why she's not here." Ginny was surprised out of her fear. "Oh, no! Is she ill?" "No, she's pregnant – but she's had trouble before and to be on the safe side…." "Before?" Charlie's mouth was set in a grim line and Ginny wasn't sure if he would answer her. "Last autumn. Kathleen miscarried during Mum and Dad's visit and…." "Oh," she faltered. "I'm sorry…." "Thanks," Charlie said tightly. Ginny didn't know what else to say, since she had never known anyone who had a miscarriage. "But she's all right now….?" Charlie slowed so they hovering over the edge of the orchard. The hills in the distance looked blue in the morning light. "I got an owl today. So far, so good. But she's feeling a little…." Ginny could fill in the blanks. "Worried?" Charlie ran his hand over his close-cropped hair. "More than that. I don't think she trusts that nature will take its course the right way this time." "Oh." She was out of her depth in this conversation, but she wanted so badly for Charlie to feel better. "Maybe you should say something to Mum," she ventured. He gave her a rueful smile. "We'll tell Mum later. She has enough to worry about, what with marrying you off and Fleur and Aunt Muriel dying." "Aunt Muriel is always dying." Charlie gave a short laugh. "You don't remember her when she was younger. She and Uncle Billius used to take Bill and me to Cannon's matches and stuff us full of junk food. They were a lot of fun." Ginny felt an unwanted stab of guilt. "I'm not wearing that tiara!" Now Charlie's laugh was genuine. "You don't have to wear a tiara to be a princess." It was an old joke but it still made her angry enough to crouch over her broom and speed away from him. She hated when her brothers accused her of milking her position as the only girl. Didn't they know how difficult it was to feel included sometimes and how annoying it was to always be singled out? She seethed for a few more moments until the act of flying worked its magic and she felt her anger drain away. The cool breeze bathed her flushed face and the earth below was a blur of green. "Looks like you've recovered from your flying wounds," Charlie observed once she returned to his side. Her broom started to wobble now that she was thinking about it again. "Maybe." "Ginny, don't fly half-arsed. Okay?" Charlie moved so close that their knees touched. "That's what I tell the new dragon handlers after their first burn. Then their hearts aren't into it and the dragons know." It was making Ginny nervous that Charlie was so close. What if she lost control or what if he did and sent then both tumbling into the trees? "There aren't any dragons out here, Charlie." Her voice trembled. "There are always dragons," he replied cryptically. "And that broom accident just reminded you of it." "What do you mean?" She focused on the horizon and keeping the handle level. Hopefully Charlie was paying attention to where they were going. "I mean, you thought all your troubles were over once Harry defeated Lord Thingy." This was uncannily close to the truth, but it made her sound like an immature… princess. "I don't blame you for that," he hastened to add. "You and Harry and Ron went through a lot and you lot deserve all the happiness in the world. I felt that way after the Death Eaters stopped hunting Kathleen – but as you can see –" "Death Eaters were hunting Kathleen?" She let go of her broom handle so she could stare at Charlie. "When was this?" "Two years ago. Actually, that's how we met," he answered with a gleam in his eye. "But I'll have her tell you the story, since that's her line of work." Ginny gave an exasperated sigh. That was all she was going to get out of Charlie – but for now she could see that her first impression of Kathleen being ordinary was very wrong. "I don't get it. How could it possibly work between a dragon handler and a romance novelist? I mean – you two have nothing in common!" Charlie laughed. "Most husbands and wives don't go off to work together." "Harry and I are going to," Ginny said proudly. Finally, she was going to be part of Harry's life. She wasn't going to be left behind ever again. They would be equals. "Why don't you tell me about this search and rescue course?" Charlie invited. Ginny chattered away to Charlie while they flew over the orchard. She didn't really notice when Charlie started to do shallow dives and she followed, since she was busy explaining why Harry wanted to go to New Zealand. When Mum sent up sparks to announce breakfast, Ginny was all talked out and steering her broom with her knees. "We'll go again tomorrow," Charlie promised as they landed in front of the broom shed. Tomorrow she would be able to maneuver and dive – and maybe the day after that she would be able to fly toward another broom without flinching. She wasn't hopeless after all. "Thanks, Charlie." He grinned at her. "I'm just reminding you of what you learned when you were six." * They flew every morning for the rest of the week. With each day, her confidence grew and her happiness expanded since she was ever closer to her wedding day. The day before her wedding she and Charlie went out for the last time. "You're flying with your whole heart now," Charlie told her after a quick game of tag that Ginny won. She flashed him a smile. "It you can take that attitude to New Zealand, it will be that much easier." "What do you mean?" "It's difficult to leave your own country and settle in another." Ginny didn't think that would be a problem. She would have Harry with her after all – what else did she need? He gave her another one of his sunny smiles. "Don't try to compare your new home with your old home. Give it all you've got – that's all I'm saying." She smiled back. "Okay." "It's a good thing to remember. Whatever you do, do it with your whole heart." She cocked her head. That was Charlie all right. His love for dragons led him away from Quidditch and his family and his country – but he was a happy man because he followed his heart. She felt a surge of optimism. All of her plans were ones she could do whole-heartedly – with Harry at her side. She cleared her throat. "I will," she vowed. * Hermione arrived just as Ginny was changing out of her flying clothes. Seeing Hermione standing in their kitchen – after a year away – was one more wonderful moment in an increasingly exciting day. "I can't believe you're finally here!" Ginny squealed. Now the wedding seemed real and possible with Hermione in attendance. There was something about Hermione that always brought Ginny to reality – probably because Hermione had never been the type to mince words or to flinch from bad news. It was Hermione who told her so long ago that she didn't have a chance with Harry unless she overcame her shyness around him, and it was Hermione who wrote to her during that horrible year when Harry went after Voldemort, and it was Hermione who, in innumerable ways, nurtured and nagged and shaped Harry into the wizard he was today. And now Hermione was here – wearing perfectly pressed robes, looking like the Ministry career witch she aspired to be. Although, that effect was somewhat diminished by the way her hair curled wildly around her face and the way her eyes flashed when Fleur said something dismissive about Ron. Ginny dragged her upstairs before Mum could talk about tiaras and Fleur could talk about babies. "Ron didn't tell me about Fleur's pregnancy," Hermione said after they admired Ginny's wedding robes and Hermione's light-green attendant's robes. "And he didn't tell me about Harry leaving Auror training." Ginny guiltily realized she hadn't mentioned either one of those things in her letters to Hermione, either. "Sorry, I should have –" "It's all right," Hermione said, hanging her attendant's robes in the wardrobe. "Ron is the one who needs to work on his communication skills – not that the post in Shangri-la was cooperating." "Was it really that horrible of a place?" Ginny asked as she settled on her bed for a long talk. Hermione sat on the edge of the other bed. "It's not a horrible place at all. It's quite beautiful. And the people are so gentle and hospitable." Her eyes darkened. "But their government…." She shook her head. "It's a Fascist regime, Ginny. And there's going to be a revolution." She was talking faster now. "But that will be no better for the people of Shangri-la since the witch who is leading that revolution is as Dark as Voldemort. Although she doesn't have the immortality agenda – she just wants power." Ginny's stomach turned. She had no idea what 'Fascist' meant – but she knew about Dark wizards and witches. This sounded like a situation Hermione and the Ministry would become embroiled in. And where would that leave Ron? He was training to be an Auror. He would have to go if the Ministry got involved. A knock on the door brought Ginny to her senses. In the span of thirty seconds, she had Ron dying in a snow bank in the Himalayas with Hermione cowering at his side surrounded by whatever passed for Death Eaters in Shangri-la. "Ginny?" Penelope poked her head in the room. "And Hermione! How are you?" Penelope entered with Fleur behind her. Fleur was carrying a glossy white box tied with a pink bow. "We wanted to give you this for your birthday, Ginny," Penelope said. "But it was backordered from Sabrina's Secrets and it just came today." Ginny's cheeks flamed. Sabrina's Secrets was the lingerie catalogue that Mum wouldn't let in the house. "Open it," Fleur prompted. Hermione moved to sit on Ginny's bed while Ginny slowly pulled the pink ribbon off the box and opened the lid. "Oh!" Ginny lifted a frothy scrap of satin and lace the color of champagne out of the box. "It's perfect!" Penelope giggled. "Stand up and hold it against you," Fleur demanded. Still a little stunned at this unexpected gift, Ginny stood and then caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. The first thing she noticed was that her many mornings of flying had made her frecklier than ever. Then she noticed that the little slip negligee was only a few inches longer than her t-shirt and was a luxurious contrast against her faded jeans. "It's lovely with your hair," Hermione said, reaching out to touch the silky fabric. "And my freckles," Ginny said in exasperation. Why hadn't she been more careful in the sun? "What's wrong with freckles?" Penelope asked, her hazel eyes dancing. "Well –" "Freckles. They are….?" Fleur looked to Penelope for the word. "Sexy?" Penelope answered. Ginny snorted. "You do not think dey are so?" Fleur asked with raised eyebrows. "'ermione? What do you think?" Hermione blushed. "Freckles are nice," she began. "Nice!" Penelope laughed. Hermione's color deepened. "Well, they're sort of warm looking," she mumbled. "Instead of white, pasty skin –" "Dat is et." Fleur nodded. "Ze freckles – zey go with the hair zat iz hot like a fire. Zey are very…." "Tasty?" Penelope replied, straight-faced. Fleur threw her head back and laughed. "'ere I thought you were to say sexy again." "Okay," Penelope said. "I'll say sexy again." Then all three – Fleur, Penelope and Hermione giggled like mad, much to Ginny's growing embarrassment. They weren't talking about her freckles. "Okay, you lot." Ginny glared at them. "I don't want to hear any more about my brothers or their freckles!" "Oh, Ginny." Penelope sobered. "We just want you to know that freckles are…er…." She looked to Hermione. "Nice," Hermione supplied. Then she smiled at Ginny. "You'll look fantastic in that." Ginny glanced in the mirror again. "You don't think it's too skimpy?" "When he sees you, 'arry will – What is zat phrase? Drop dead?" Penelope laughed. "And then he'll come back to life so he won't miss anything." Ginny blushed again and didn't know where to look since they were all watching her with benevolent smiles. If Fleur hadn't been there, Ginny might have mustered enough courage to ask Penelope about What Every Witch Should Know and marital duties and some of the other questions whirling through her mind, but for now she just muttered a thank-you-for-the-gown. "Harry loves you for the way you are," Penelope said gently. "Freckles and all." Fleur nodded. "You remember – zat ze man – he likes everything. So you make him just as happy if you say what you like." What did she like? Ginny wondered, feeling slightly panicked. She wouldn't say that in front of Fleur, though. "Er, right." Penelope looked at her watch. "I must go. I just popped over as soon as the package arrived. I'll see you lot at dinner tonight." "And I am to ze nap," Fleur said, hoisting herself off of the bed. "Well," Hermione said after the door shut behind Penelope and Fleur. She looked at Ginny and Ginny looked back. Then they both laughed. "I just got The Talk, didn't I?" Ginny mused. "It seems that you did," Hermione agreed. "And a sexy nightie to go with it." She winked. "Hermione, when your time comes, take this advice from this bride-to-be." Ginny was not all-together joking. "Elope." Hermione did a passable imitation of Fleur. "I will say what I like and 'e will be just as 'appy." "That only works for Fleur." Ginny sighed. "So how jealous are you?" Ginny smiled. It was an old routine they used to amuse themselves the summer Fleur stayed at the Burrow. "Very." "Zat is how it should be." Hermione nodded regally. Then they both giggled liked the schoolgirls they used to be. * "Ginny!" Mum called. "Harry's Apparated into the garden." Just hearing those words made Ginny tingle from anticipation. Now the day was perfect. Forgetting all about Hermione, Ginny flew down the stairs without another word. "But I don't see Ron." Mum was peering from behind the curtains, looking concerned. The door banged behind Ginny as she ran out to greet him. "Harry!" One quick glance told her that this last Auror's training session had been physically demanding. He looked underfed and tired, but his green eyes were gleaming with happiness as he met her in the middle of the garden. Once in his arms, she nuzzled her nose against his neck and held on tight. Finally, finally. When he pulled away, he studied her face. "You look so…. good," he said thickly, his arms still around her waist. "I've been flying!" she announced, forgetting that she had never told Harry about her fears in the first place. "Ron wondered when you would try it again." "He did?" "I was going to talk to you about it after the wedding." "Why didn't you say….?" Ginny stopped. Harry knew her so well. She smiled at him fondly and touched his face. He pulled her a little closer. She could feel every hard line of his body, so that her previous tingles of anticipation were turning into something more. "I've been swimming," he began in a conversational tone. "In the North Atlantic." She giggled at his rueful expression. "I think I'm going to have to go back – soon." Her closeness was doing more than making Harry tingle, she realized. And now she felt that familiar melting ache…. She searched for a neutral topic. "Hermione's here." "Oh." He let out a breath as if had been doused with cold water. "I can't wait to see her." Then he sighed and straightened. "Ron's going to miss dinner – and I doubt if he'll be released until mid-night." "Hermione's going to be so disappointed!" "Not as disappointed as Ron," Harry answered, shaking his head. "Although it was his own fault." "What did he do?" "He and Zacharias Smith got into a bit of a…." "Tiff?" Ginny's lips twitched. She couldn't imagine Zacharias Smith giving as good as he got in a fight. Harry laughed. "I don't know. I didn't see it. I just know the two of them are being disciplined. They're packing up everyone's equipment. That's why I'm here early." "Don't tell Hermione he's in trouble," Ginny cautioned. "She's already upset with him for not telling her enough in his letters." His mouth twisted. "Don't you think I know by now to stay out of their way?" She laughed as they started walking arm in arm toward the house. "Fleur and Penelope gave me a present today. It's from Sabrina's Secrets." He stopped dead in his tracks. "Really?" His voice sounded funny. "You know what Sabrina's Secrets is?" He briefly closed his eyes. "That secret of Sabrina's is the one wizards – especially wizards who are Aurors – have been trying to discover for years." "Ah," Ginny said, catching on. "So you search each catalogue for clues?" He shrugged modestly. "It's our sworn duty as Aurors." She giggled. "You're not going to be an Auror anymore." "Oh yeah." He smiled. "As a concerned citizen, then?" "Ha!" "Intellectual curiosity?" "I suppose you're going to say you read it for the articles." "A catalogue has articles?" He was laughing now. She swatted his arm. "Do you want to know what they bought me?" His eyes widened and he gulped before he answered carefully. "If I say 'I can use my imagination', are you going to hit me again?" She laughed and turned to face him. "You'll like it." His arms went around her. "I like everything you do to me," he said into her ear. The vibrations of his voice traveled through her whole body. Maybe Fleur was right about men liking everything. He pulled her closer. "Is it tomorrow yet?"
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