I like the little snippets you're giving from Harry's time during the War. It gives a little bit of backstory as well as allow Ginny to piece together (slowly) how much Harry has actually been through; the same with him talking about the Dursleys. I know canon Harry was always kind of hesitant on telling anyone anything that might make people pity him, but it shows how comfortable he is already around Ginny that he subconsciously wants to tell her these things. I'm hoping Dudley is a different person now. If they decide to meet up, and Dudley is still a twat, at least he has Ginny to talk to now.

Lovely chapter =)

Author's Response: I'm glad you liked the chapter. You'll be getting bits of Harry and Ginny's backstories throughout the story as they work through their various bits of emotional baggage. Ultimately, this brings them closer as they confide in each other: Ginny is exactly what Harry needs in order for him to heal emotionally and hopefully break Voldemort's curse, so that he can live a normal life again. I also think that if he and Dudley meet, they might not be best mates, but, like Rowling stated, they will at least be on Christmas card acquaintance. Thanks for reading.

Ah, and so the healing begins. I always like stories where Harry shares some of his childhood with Ginny. I don't think he would with anyone else, but my HC is that he did share with her. Well done!

Author's Response: It's an essential part of this story that Harry shares his backstory with Ginny because that's what essentially helps him throw off Voldemort's curse and heal the wounds he's suffered in both the Wizarding and Muggle worlds. Thanks for reading. I'm glad you like this part of the story so much.

Harry certainly spilled the beans about those rotten Dursleys! Ginny was clearly a big asset helping him deal with things! Glad he's
reaching out to Dudley! Glad Ginny is going to talk to Molly! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Author's Response: Both Harry and Ginny have issues they need to heal and by making this promise to confront those issues head-on they are doing what needs to be done so they can move forward. You'll find out more about these in the next chapter. Thanks for reading and see you next week!

I'm glad that Harry was able to tell Ginny his story - or at least a version of his story. It was nice that she was able to give him some perspective. I totally agree with the idea of forgiving - it is so bad to carry around that anger. I'm still having a lot of trouble with her hospital giving any credence to a drunk, grieving family member (grieving family members make statement in the heat of the moment). Honestly, Ron shouldn't have been allowed to be even be there - most hospitals will not allow visibly drunk visitors and at the very least security would have been called and escorted him out of the room. I feel badly for her that she was treated so poorly. I vote for her to go work at the Great Ormond Street Childrens Hospital!

Author's Response: Part of Harry's healing is letting go of all the negative feelings he holds inside, the sorts of things Voldemort loved and encouraged. This means that he will actually need to talk to at least Dudley! It also puts his early life in perspective so that he can see how far he has come in recent years with the idea of acknowledging what happened to him and moving on, which in turn, loosens the effects of Voldemort's spell. The thing about Ron getting as far as his brother's bed is that hospitals aren't as well-staffed in places like the reception area of the lobby and even the nurses' stations on the floors because the patients are supposed to be sleeping. I've left several hospitals recently late at night and reception desks have been shut down with the lights off. I don't think that in the main hospital, the Ottery St Mary building would have an abundance of security at night, so Ron could easily have slipped upstairs before his inebriation was discovered (Fred died in the wee hours of the morning.). That said, the hospital did respond to the other patients' complaints about a drunk making horrid comments. Also, Ginny didn't say whether security became involved because Bill had finally taken Ron in hand. I like your idea of the Great Ormand Street Hospital. Thanks for the suggestion. I just might use it later in the story. (I'm still writing chapter twenty.) Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.