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SIYE Time:18:52 on 6th November 2024
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A Taste of Honey
By Gin110881

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Category: Alternate Universe
Characters:Harry/Ginny
Genres: Drama, Fluff, Romance
Warnings: None
Story is Complete
Rating: PG-13
Reviews: 37
Summary: After three weeks of working without a day off, Ginny rewards herself with a latte and a chocolate sprinkle before spending the weekend with her family. Little did she know that she would meet someone in her favourite café who would change her entire life.
Probably the most AU I've ever written.
Hitcount: Story Total: 33763; Chapter Total: 2284
Awards: View Trophy Room




Author's Notes:
As always, my thanks go to GryffindorHealer, dumnonian, and KSummer for their kind support in giving the chapter a final checkover.




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"Hi, Mum. How's Dad?" Ginny asked as she walked into her father's room at St Mungo's the next afternoon.

"Hard to say," her mother replied with a heavy sigh. "The Bubble-Head charm seems to help him, though. His breathing is better."

"Good," Ginny said, taking a closer look at her father. The air bubble attached to his face fluoresced a little, but underneath it, she could see her father was breathing calmly. The air bubble should also reduce the risk of infection, Ginny realised.

The door opened, and Healer Korngeable entered, a stack of files under his arm. "Good to meet you, Miss Weasley. Do you remember if you have a magical medical record here at St Mungo's?"

Ginny stared at the man, perplexed, and then at her mother. "A magical record? I... I don't know. Not that I know of. Mum?"

Her mother gave the healer very firm look. "Of course, she has been to St Mungo's, Frank. But it's been a while. She was here in the children's ward several times as a baby."

Healer Korngeable gave her mother a doubtful look. "That's strange. Then I'll have to search the archives again. Are you really sure, Molly?"

"Yes, I'm very sure," Ginny's mother replied. "What's it about?"

"As I told you, we're examining the magical medical records of the family members to find the cause of this illness. Doing so, I just found out that we don't have any medical records for your daughter."

"They won't be of much help anyway," Ginny interjected. "If Mum is right, and I think she is, I haven't been treated here at St Mungo's in twenty years."

"Yes, you may be right then," Korngeable admitted reluctantly.

"Did you find out where the disease first broke out?" Ginny asked, eyeing the man closely.

With a soft groan, Healer Korngeable grimaced. Obviously, he didn't like to speak about that topic. "There are only rumours." He fidgeted, shifting his gaze from Ginny to her mother and then glanced at the door. "It remains between us, and you didn't hear it from me."

When Ginny and her mother nodded in unison, he spoke in a low voice, "There are rumours that someone whose name the Ministry is withholding imported mail owls from Southeast Asia. These were then sold to the various magical creature stores. The first sick people were ministry employees from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. In the meantime, other wizards and witches have also become ill."

"And what happened to those...owls?" Ginny asked cautiously.

"No idea," Healer Korngeable shrugged. "That's the ministry's job."

Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Most of them probably already died," suspected Korngeable.

Ginny fished in her bag for two boxes. "Mum, these are rubber gloves and face masks. You should wear these when you're here in Dad's room. It would be best if you wore them all the time you're here at St Mungo's. If you don't want to do that, at least wash your hands regularly."

Her mother gave Ginny a critical look. "Do you have to wear these at work?"

"Sometimes, but not always," Ginny admitted, raising her hand as her mother was about to give her a triumphant look. "But I don't work in the ward where this disease is treated. The doctors and nurses there wear masks and gloves all the time." She gave her mother a stern look. "Do me a favour and wear the gloves and the masks. You're doing yourself and Dad a disservice if you end up in the bed next to him with the same disease."

Her mother glanced at Healer Korngeable, obviously searching for advice, but the man just shrugged his shoulders. "Please keep me out of this. That's your decision." He sighed and grumbled. "It definitely can't hurt."

Ginny handed her mother the two boxes and gave her a reassuring smile. "As long as dad has that Bubble-Head, you can pull the mask down if you have trouble breathing."

** HG **


On Saturday afternoon, after Ginny's shift, Harry was already waiting for her at the staff exit. "Hi, how are you?" He asked before pulling her close and placing a kiss on her lips. "You look good."

Ginny chuckled. "Yeah, sure. I just changed out of my work clothes." She eyed Harry briefly. "How are you? Are you ready to face my mum?"

Harry laughed. "Sure. Any brothers present today?"

Ginny grinned. "Not that I know of. Are you really that scared of them?"

"Nope. But you have quite a few brothers, and I'd really like to get to know them one at a time rather than all at once." He pretended to breathe a sigh of relief. "But I'm lucky. I already know two of them."

"My mum will probably be scarier to you than my brothers," Ginny couldn't help but laugh.

"Why's that?" Harry asked, puzzled.

"What will be your answer when she asks you about your intentions?" Ginny gave him a wide grin.

"No. She wouldn't, would she?" Harry replied, flabbergasted. "We've only known each other for..."

"Don't worry," said Ginny cheerfully. "I'm sure she won't ask that question today. But if you haven't dumped me by Christmas..."

"It's been you who considered ditching me when you found out I'm not a Muggle," Harry teased. "But thanks for the warning." He held out his hand. "And now let us face the music."

Harry led Ginny to a hidden Apparition point he'd found nearby, and a few minutes later, the two were standing in front of the Burrow. Ginny gave Harry a challenging look. "Are you ready for my mum?"

Harry shrugged. "Let's get this over with."

They walked around the house, and Ginny opened the back door to have a glance into the kitchen and was surprised not to find her mother there. "Mum. Are you at home?" she called, waving Harry into the house behind her.

"Oh. Ginny, dear. We're in the living room, having tea," her mother replied, appearing at the door a moment later, a pleased smile on her face. "And you must be Ginny's boyfriend. Welcome to the Burrow," her mother said, eyeing Harry closely.

"Yes, Mum. That's Harry," Ginny confirmed, winking at him.

"Harry Potter, Mrs Weasley," Harry introduced himself with a sheepish smile, his eyes widening in surprise as Ginny's mother gave him a warm hug.

"Don't crush him, Mum," Ginny shouted, laughing. "He's mine."

Her mother released Harry from her embrace and gave him another look over, obviously realising what he'd just said. "You're not the Harry Potter, are you?" she asked sceptically. When Harry screwed up his face and gave her an awkward smile, she glanced at Ginny questioningly.

"It's him, Mum," Ginny said with an apologetic shrug.

"But why did you never say a word, Ginny?" her mother asked, shooting her a reproachful look.

"I've only known for a few days myself." Ginny chuckled. "He didn't think it was that important and totally forgot to tell me."

"Merlin. I'd never thought I'd ever see Harry Potter in person, and now he's here, in my kitchen. And he's even the boyfriend of my only daughter." Shaking her head in disbelief, she pulled a handkerchief from her apron to dab her forehead.

"How about you offer us some tea, Mum?" Ginny asked, amused. "Who else is here? You said we're having tea. Who else is 'we'?"

"It's Ron and his girlfriend, Hermione. Come sit with us, you two." Ginny's mother gestured towards the living room. "I'll get us some more strawberries and clotted cream."

"Hi, Harry. Hi, Ginny," Hermione greeted with a broad smile while Ron stood up and hugged them both.

"You know each other?" Ginny's mother asked, surprised, as she placed the strawberries and clotted cream with the scones.

"We met at St Mungo's on Ginny's birthday," Harry explained. "When Ginny and Ron visited their father."

"You never mentioned knowing Ginny's boyfriend, Ron," her mother stated, shooting her son a reprimanding look before pouring tea for Harry and Ginny.

"Because I haven't seen you all week," Ron defended himself.

"Mum. How is Dad today?" Ginny interrupted before they started arguing.

"Oh. Arthur is doing better," her mother reported happily. "The fever is almost gone, and he only needs the Bubble-Head at night to sleep better."

"That's great," Ginny said, nodding in relief. "Then the medication seemed to work. The older woman I cared for in the hospital is also doing better." She sighed. "But as far as I know, many new cases are being admitted every day. They have a lot to do in the intensive care unit."

"The Daily Prophet reported on it today," Hermione confirmed. "They said the deadly disease that has killed so many wizards and witches was brought in by owls from Southeast Asia. According to St. Mungo's, the pathogens are immune to magic. Apparently, the illnesses among Muggles can also be traced back to these owls."

"That's what Healer Korngeable suspected." Ginny nodding in agreement. "They should prescribe Muggle medication to the patients at St Mungo's. I wonder what's stopping them."

"A good deal of prejudice," Hermione explained. "It's not even the healers who are to blame. It's the management of St Mungo's."

"By the way, Frank Korngeable said he still hasn't found your medical records," Ginny's mother said.

"What medical records?" Harry asked, curious.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "My old medical records from 20 years ago when I was a baby." She shook her head in disbelief. "They can't do anything with those files anyway, and I don't need them anymore. I doubt I'll ever be treated at St Mungo's again."

Harry gave her a worried look.

"Don't look like that," Ginny scolded him, chuckling. "These bloody files are like something from another world for me. I really don't need them anymore."

"Are we from another world for you then, too?" Her mother shot her an accusatory look.

"That's different. You're family," Ginny explained firmly. When she noticed her mother's doubtful look, she sighed, slightly annoyed. "I've told you so many times, I live in the Muggle world, and I feel like that's where I belong. But of course, I also belong here with you. You are my family, and I don't want to miss you. But to me, these old files are like the old Quidditch posters I threw away so many years ago."

"Just like the prophecy?" Harry asked thoughtfully.

Ginny gave Harry an irritated look. "Yes. Just like the prophecy. But what does the prophecy have to do with it?"

Harry glanced at Hermione questioningly. "Did you find anything out?"

Hermione threw Ginny an uncertain gaze before answering Harry's question. "Not much, but I came across something strange."

"When did you two talk about the bloody prophecy?" Ginny asked, her eyes darting irritated from Harry to Hermione.

"On your birthday. We talked while you and Ron were visiting your father, and we were waiting for you," Harry said. "When Hermione told me she worked for the Department of Mysteries..."

"He asked me if I have anything to do with the prophecies," Hermione chimed in and explained, "I don't work with the prophecies, but I know someone who does."

"But I thought Unspeakables weren't allowed to talk about their work," Ginny said, scowling.

"I'm not an Unspeakable yet." Hermione smiled sheepishly. "And we're allowed to talk about general things."

"And Ginny Weasley is one of those general things?" Ginny asked grumpily.

"No one has mentioned your name," Hermione reassured her. "I was only asking if prophecies might go missing."

"And?" Harry asked.

Hermione sighed and smiled mysteriously to herself. "Normally, it can't happen. But..." she paused briefly, "once there was an incident in which the glass balls of several prophecies were broken. That was about 20 years ago."

Displeased, Ginny looked around and noticed how everyone was glued to Hermione's lips, even her dear mother.

"What prophecies were they?" Harry asked, a little too eager for Ginny's liking.

"We don't know for sure," replied Hermione. "As far as I know, there was a lot of broken glass, and some of the pedestals on which the glass balls lay were also missing. Therefore, we only know which prophecies were destroyed based on the pedestals that were still there."

"And?" Harry asked again.

Hermione shrugged. "Ginny's name wasn't among them."

"Now, put your conspiracy theories to rest," Ginny barged in, starting to get annoyed.

Harry took her hand and squeezed it. "Has anyone ever found out who was responsible for the accident and whether it was even an accident?"

"Unfortunately, no," Hermione admitted. "One morning, someone found the shards in the Hall of Prophecy, but to my knowledge, no one ever figured out what exactly had happened. Only someone involved in a prophecy can take it from the Hall. The sole exception are Unspeakables, who work with the prophecies."

"And who found the shards?" Harry asked.

"Oh. I... I don't know," Hermione confessed. "But I can try to find out."

"You won't get in without proper authorization, and you have to know your way around the Hall of Prophecy if you want to find something in particular," said Harry thoughtfully, tapping a rhythm with his fingers on the table.

"You've been there?" Hermione asked, astonished, her brow furrowed in disbelief.

Harry looked up, apparently startled out of his musings. "Yes. Once. When I picked up my prophecy. Professor Dumbledore thought it would be safer if we removed it from the ministry."

"There was a prophecy about you?" Ron asked, surprised, but then nodded. "Makes sense when you think about it."

"And how did you get permission to take the prophecy from the Hall of Prophecy?" Hermione asked, gobsmacked.

Harry chuckled. "I dunno. Dumbledore pulled the strings. But that's a long story. I can tell you another time. Today, I'm actually here to meet Ginny's mum, and I've barely spoken a word to her yet." He squeezed Ginny's hand and gave her mother an apologetic smile. "Sorry for hijacking the conversation, but I was curious. Probably because I'm a prophecy-damaged person myself."

"Where have you been all these years?" asked Ginny's mother, taking the opportunity to ask a question that had probably been bugging her the whole time. "Back then, it was said You-Know-Who is dead, and little Harry Potter defeated him, but you'd disappeared off the face of the earth. There were so many rumours, but no one knew anything for sure until suddenly the news came, You-Know-Who's really dead."

"My godfather moved with me to Canada. We only came back 5-6 years ago?" Harry replied with a small, almost apologetic smile.

"Oh. That's pretty far from home," Molly replied, amazed.

"We lived very secluded, even after we returned to England. My godfather thought it would be safer that way," Harry chuckled. "And nowadays, I appreciate living a little outside the public eye."

"And why did you come back?" Hermione asked, staring intently at Harry.

Harry shrugged and ran his hands through his hair. "Dumbledore convinced my godfather that the time was right to fulfil the prophecy since my training was finished."

"Professor Dumbledore was your teacher?" Hermione asked, visibly impressed.

"Yeah," Harry admitted. "Among others."

"How did you actually defeat You-Know-Who?" Hermione asked, leaning in further to look at Harry closely. "There are only rumours, some worse than others."

Harry fidgeted and adjusted his glasses. "I've been asked not to talk about it, at least not about certain details."

"That's a shame but understandable," Hermione admitted, disappointment written on her face.

"And what are you doing now, if I may ask?" Ginny's mother asked.

Harry sighed and shrugged. "My godfather has a small company, and I help him with it. We offer Muggle security systems and magical wards. For the latter we work together with Gringotts. That's how I met Ginny's brother Bill."

"He never said anything," Ginny's mother stated in an almost accusatory voice.

"Why didn't you join the Aurors?" Ron asked. "We're always looking for capable people."

Harry chuckled. "Good question." He ran his hands through his hair and sighed thoughtfully. "Let's say we considered it, but in the end, I decided to join my godfather's company."

"Why?" Ron asked interestedly.

"Let's put it this way, we've had mixed reactions about it from the Ministry. The people we fought together with against Voldemort, like Kingsley and Mad-Eye Moody, offered my godfather Sirius and me to join the Aurors. But unfortunately, the old boys' network is still in charge at the Ministry, and they came up with many bizarre conditions which made it impossible for us to agree."

"Probably the same people who prevented Madam Bones from becoming Minister for Magic," Ron interjected, gritting his teeth.

"There are still a lot of people in positions of influence who were not Death Eaters but loyal to Voldemort's ideas," said Harry. "And honestly, I don't want to work for people like that." He gave Ron an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. You're an Auror, aren't you? I didn't mean to doubt you."

"That's okay," Ron replied, laughing. "But I can assure you that more and more people are working to clean up the Ministry. But that won't happen overnight."

"Excuse me for a moment. I have to use the loo," Harry said and stood up.

"You know the way?" Ginny's mother asked.

"Yes. I was here for Ginny's birthday when she was all alone," Harry replied, climbing the stairs to the first floor.

When he returned a few minutes later, Ginny's mother waved him into the kitchen. "May I have a word with you, Harry?"

"Yeah, sure," Harry replied, a little surprised.

Ginny's mother was smiling at him but seemed a little uncomfortable. "You know about Ginny?" she asked, a little nervous.

Harry raised his eyebrows. Did she mean... "Her magic?" He asked cautiously and continued as Ginny's mother nodded. "Yes, she told me, and we talked about it."

"And it's okay with you both?" she asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, I think so. I don't have a problem with it anyway," Harry replied.

"You have to know, Harry. Ginny wouldn't admit it, but it was a huge disappointment to her at the time. She'd been so eager to go to Hogwarts like all her siblings. It took her a few years to regain her confidence at the Muggle school. And she's doing really well there. We're very proud of her. But deep down, she's still vulnerable because of it, even if she's suppressing it." She paused and gave Harry a pleading look. "I'm just saying all this to make you understand her. She doesn't like to talk about it and... Well. Maybe she doesn't have to." She sighed. "As confident as she is in the Muggle world, she is still vulnerable in the wizarding world. I just wanted you to know that." She took a deep breath, looked into Harry's eyes, hers a little moist, and nodded slowly. "I wish you both good luck."

"Thank you, Mrs Weasley," replied Harry, genuinely touched. "I'll do my best."

"And call me Molly, dear," she replied, chuckling. "Now, let's go back. Ginny doesn't need to know that I gave you a speech."

Back in the living room, Ginny shot them a suspicious look. "What have you two been up to?" Her eyes widened. "Mum, you didn't ask him about his..."

Harry put his hand on Ginny's shoulder and sat down next to her again. "It wasn't that bad," he reassured her. "Your mother just wished us good luck."

Ginny gave him a sceptical stare but nodded when she met his gaze and accepted his hand with a small smile.

An hour later, the sun was already setting, and Ron and Hermione prepared to leave as they wanted to meet up with friends from Hogwarts. Unfortunately, Ginny had to decline their invitation to come along because she had to go to work in the morning.

"How about a walk through Camden Town? We could have one of those colourful cocktails before you go to bed." Harry suggested. "I don't feel like going home yet."

A pleased smile crossed Ginny's face, and she chuckled to herself. "Good idea. I'll probably sleep well after that."

"You have to go already?" Ginny's mother asked, sounding a little disappointed.

"It's been a long day, Mum," Ginny replied, eyeing her mother worriedly instead of hugging her. "How are you feeling, Mum? I already noticed earlier that you're sweating. Do you have a fever?"

"Just a touch of fever, dear. Nothing serious," her mother replied lightly.

"Mum, you don't look well. When you visit Dad tomorrow, you'll take some of his pills too, promise me that. For you two, they should last for another day or two. Tomorrow, I'll get another pack of tablets for you."

"We wanted to visit Teddy tomorrow, don't forget that," Harry reminded her.

"Then we'll take the pills to the Burrow after we meet Teddy." She met her mother's eyes. "And mum, wash your hands as often as possible and wear the damn mask. Otherwise you could infect others."

Her mother sighed and finally nodded.
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