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HB Prince: Year of Love | ||||||
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Category: Post-OotP Characters:All, All Genres: Angst, Drama, Fluff, Humor Warnings: None Rating: PG Reviews: 309 Summary: *** The author has been reminded via the e-mail address on file that this story is listed as incomplete and has not been updated in over 2 years *** This story starts at the end of Order Of The Phoenix. Although this story starts as the usual Harry/Ginny romance, I believe after several chapters, you will find that Ancient Dark Magic takes on a whole new meaning to our Harry and Ginny. Will Harry discover the key to the Half-Blood Prince?* * * *American Edition *** * * * Hitcount: Story Total: 196487; Chapter Total: 3511 Author's Notes: SUMMARY: What’s up with all that “funny business”? --
Harry’s disappointed, yet again. Ron’s suspicious
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Chapter Forty-one - Dursley’s Trouble Luna watched as Ginny left the room hand in hand with Harry. She felt it was unusual that Ginny would be included in a private talk along with Harry with the Weasleys. But she was sure if Harry insisted, Ginny would be included. Harry and Ginny’s relationship was a bit odd. Something was a bit off about them, yet at the same time, it was so right. Luna had always lived her life at school on the outside. Others, especially Ravenclaws, treated her as an outcast. She had always tried to not let it bother her, she accepted it. With Harry and his friends she was accepted, although they sometimes laughed at the wrong times, they treated her well. Ginny was always defending her from anyone who made rude remarks. Usually it was just calling her “Loony”. Harry had adopted her as his sister and he was serious about it. Actually Harry was the most serious person she ever met. He teased a little and joked with her, but he mostly took things seriously. He gave her more attention and love than anyone other than her Daddy. She trusted and admired him more than anyone. She also felt that Harry had chosen the perfect woman as his mate. Luna admired Ginny and knew she was perfect for him. There were many girls that wanted Harry but only Ginny was the right one. He would not look further and one day he would marry her. At the same time, they just didn’t act natural. Something was “off” in their relationship. She didn’t worry about it because when the time was right, Harry would tell her. One thing that she had, was patience. Ron, however, did not have patience. He also felt there was something “odd” about Harry and Ginny’s relationship. Harry never was one to talk about girls, not like the other blokes. Usually if they started talking about girls, Harry left the room. Of course, since Harry was going with his sister, if he DID talk about Ginny, he would have to hit him. Hermione is the one who could get to the bottom of it, but SHE has been acting weird this year too. His heart skipped a beat when he thought about Hermione. Maybe when she showed up, they could discuss it. She was always good at getting stuff out of Harry or maybe she already knew what was going on. Ron reflected on how Ginny spent the last couple of weeks crying or at least he thought she was crying. Her eyes were swollen most days and she looked sad. He had even tried to get her to come out and practice Quidditch with him. She refused, that was not like her. She was really down. He was sure it was because she missed Harry, but she never acted that way before. She always seemed to be happier when he was around, but never depressed when he wasn’t. She was acting different this year. As they walked to the kitchen, Ginny couldn’t help but feel elated. She was walking next to Harry hand in hand. She wanted to be wrapped in his arms again, not to be disturbed by anyone. She wanted him all to herself, but she knew that wasn’t gonna happen. For now, being beside him will have to do. He looked into her eyes as they walked. His smile made her want to melt, but her dad was waiting in the kitchen. She sighed. Arthur was sitting at the table. He had set a butterbeer out for each of them. Harry was ready for one of them to send Ginny away, even though they knew that Ginny had every right to know what was going on. He didn’t have to worry, the Weasleys didn’t say anything about Ginny being there. Arthur explained that he went to Mrs. Figg’s and found Mundungus Fletcher asleep on the sofa. It took a long time to get the whole story out of him, but with much persuasion, patience and a few threats, he did it. About a week before Harry was to arrive, Mundungus began his assignment. It seems that a few days after he started, Mrs. Figg caught Mundungus stealing something of hers. She was so angry with him, that she refused to talk to him any more. When he came to relieve her, she would leave without a word. It got to the point that she would leave a few minutes before he was supposed to arrive so that she didn’t have to talk to him. Then she started to arrive later hoping that he had already left. So for the last few days before Harry was to arrive, they hadn’t seen each other at all. He was supposed to arrive at nine a.m. and leave at six p.m. but he started arriving closer to ten a.m. and leaving a little after five p.m. He SAID that he was just giving Mrs. Figg plenty of space so that they wouldn’t meet up. Mrs. Figg said that she was visiting her sister during the time that Mundungus was on duty. When asked about the Dursleys, Mundungus told Arthur that all was very quiet at number four. He told Arthur about a story that Mrs. Figg had told him, before they had their “little disagreement”. She had told him about Vernon’s car having trouble. That was sometime after Christmas, maybe in January. His tires were always going flat. He had been late for work many days. Even after buying a couple sets of new tires, he was having the same problem several days each week. He took his car in to have the axles and wheels checked, but nothing could be found wrong with the car. Some time late in February, he bought a new car. It also had the same problem. He was furious and finally he took the car back. He bought another car, but it had the same problem. He told the others in the neighborhood that that car model was faulty, so he bought yet another car of a different brand and model. IT also had problems with the wheels and tires. He sent it back and finally started using the bus system to get to work. Petunia started taking taxis to do her shopping. She seemed more jumpy and nervous. She was also having troubles. One problem was with her garden. The Dursleys always prided themselves with their plush, yet neat garden. Sometime in March, the lawn and shrubs started dying. There seemed to be holes appearing in the lawn that she couldn’t explain. Mrs. Figg noticed that the Dursleys started going to bed very early. The house would be dark at night. She thought that they didn’t turn the lights on once the sun set. Mundungus said that he didn’t notice anything going on at the Dursleys. He said that since they didn’t have a car anymore, it was hard to tell when they were home. He hadn’t seen any of them. He reckoned that Harry was being punished for something because he hadn’t seen Harry either. Mrs. Figg was missing. She’d been missing, from all he could tell, a little over a couple of weeks. A few days before Harry was to return, up to and including today. “So how’d you reckon that Mrs. Figg is missing?” asked Harry. “Because her cats were starving. They were surrounding me, brushing themselves up against my legs. They all were very thin. I opened a can of cat food and they almost attacked me. I asked Mundungus about them and he told me that he didn’t like cats so avoided them,” said Arthur. “I feed all of them,” said Arthur, when he seen the look on Ginny’s face. She showed relief at the sound of those words. “I’ve contacted Tonks. She will start the search for Mrs. Figg,” added Arthur. “Don’t worry, she’ll take care of it.” “I’ve told Mundungus to stay at the house and NOT leave for any reason. Tonks is also working on getting an Order meeting set up,” said Arthur, wearily. No one said anything for a few minutes. They all sipped their butterbeer in thought. “Well! At least we know why we didn’t know about Harry being here,” said Molly. They all looked at Harry, waiting for some kind of reaction. Finally he spoke. “I’d have loved to see Uncle Vernon dealing with the car,” said Harry. “From afar,” he added, grinning. “May I see the note?” asked Arthur. Harry handed him the note. He read it and passed it to Molly. “How can they be so cruel?” asked Molly. “Don’t worry about it,” said Harry. “Harry, did you have anything to do with Mr. Dursley’s car?” asked Arthur. “No.” “What’s this ‘funny business’?” asked Molly. “That’s what the Durlsey’s say when they are talking about magic. Obviously they think I had something to do with their problems,” said Harry. “Harry, do you think the note is genuine?” asked Arthur. “Genuine?” asked Harry, confused. “I mean, is the handwriting genuine? Is it written the way he would normally write?” asked Arthur. “Yeah, that’s him all right,” said Harry. Then Harry caught on. “You think that they’ve been abducted or something?” “Perhaps,” said Arthur. Harry thought for a few minutes. “No, I don’t think so. I mean, if someone else asked him to write a note, he would have wrote it more kindly. And anyway, what would be the point?” “I don’t know. It’s just that the Dursleys and Mrs. Figg disappearing around the same time, is too much of a coincidence,” said Arthur. “There definitely had been some mischief going on. I went over to the house to see if I could find a clue. Their yard is a mess. It’s been invaded by gnomes. I was able to Apparate into the house. I should not have been able to do that with all the wards that are supposed to be there,” said Arthur. “Also, I found some suspicious things in the house, Pixie AND Doxy droppings. In one of the bedrooms I found a boggart in the closet,” said Arthur. “Pixies and Doxys AND gnomes at number four? A boggart? I don’t believe it,” said Harry. Arthur, Molly and Ginny secretly gave each other a look that Harry didn’t notice. “It’s perfectly true. Well at least I am sure of the gnomes and the boggart. I am only guessing about the Pixie and Doxy droppings,” said Arthur. “Tonks is going to send some experts over to take a look, secretly, of course,” he added. “Molly has invited Fred and George to dinner here tonight. Tonks is going to try to contact Lupin, so he may be joining us tonight too,” said Arthur. “I suppose we may be staying here, at least for a couple of days. We’ll see what Remus has to say on the subject,” added Arthur. “I don’t understand why you left. You said that wherever you were together was home, that we were a family,” said Harry. He was hurt that the Weasleys had elected to live elsewhere. “Harry, we ARE family, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t live in our own homes.” Arthur studied Harry carefully. “Harry, I’m sorry you misunderstood. I told you right at the first, that we would stay for a while. We always planned to go back home. Molly and I have always had our own place. We raised our children in our home. This is not our home. The Burrow is our home. This is YOUR home.” “So I didn’t make you feel like it was home to you,” said Harry, sadly. “Of course you did. We feel very welcome here, but it was always a temporary solution. The point is, that we do have a home and that is where we want to live.” “When our children grow up, they will leave our home and make their own home, as Molly and I did. It’s not a good idea for couples to live with their in-laws. Of course, there are situations when family pulls together and exceptions are made. Usually it is only temporary,” said Arthur. “Harry, we did feel welcome. It may be harder for you than most to understand , because of the way you were raised by those awful people,” said Molly. She realized that she may have said too much. “I guess I am just surprised. That’s all,” said Harry. “I will be talking more about this later tonight. For now, please believe us when we say that you ARE our family. We did not leave because of anything that had to do with you personally OR Lupin for that matter. We just wanted to go home. Actually we thought you would be happy for us,” said Arthur. “I am happy for you, if that’s what you want. I guess I am just being selfish,” said Harry. “Thank you, Harry. One day YOU will be deciding where you want to live. You may stay here or perhaps you will get another place. When you do, it will be your decision. Then your home will be just that, your home.” “There’s another reason that we moved back to The Burrow. Like you, our family is also being watched, specially Ginny. I think you know why.” Harry nodded. “We have made sure that Ginny has been seen from the outside every day. We want ‘others’ to see where she is,” added Arthur. “Does that mean that she can’t stay here with me?” asked Harry. The Weasleys nodded. “Can I go stay at The Burrow then?” asked Harry, in a panic. “The wards at the Burrow have not been set up. Dumbledore was going to work on that when he returns. I think the plan was for you to stay at the Dursleys then return HERE. I don’t think he wanted your whereabouts known, although he didn’t say specifically. We will have to wait until he returns to find out,” said Arthur. Harry didn’t say anything for a while. He was upset. He wanted to be with Ginny. He wanted to have a honeymoon, it looked like that was not going to happen. He would have to talk to Dumbledore and get it all straightened out. He didn’t want to upset Ginny any more, so he changed the subject. “Well, I guess that your room can be changed. Perhaps you may want to take it with you,” said Harry, finally. “Huh?” they all said at once. “Eh... well... you should not Apparate to your usual room up on the third floor,” said Harry, grinning. “Why?” asked Molly. “Winky and I have been busy. You don’t think I spent ALL my time just studying, do you?” said Harry. “What you been up to?” asked Ginny. “Come see,” said Harry. They all rose and followed Harry up to the third floor. The first thing they noticed was that the whole floor had been re-arranged. The stairway leading up to it came up to another landing. The doors to the rooms there were not in the same places. Harry and Winky had moved walls and created different rooms there. The landing and hallway walls were all freshly painted. Harry opened a door on his right to show a beautiful bedroom. It was decorated as an old time country bedroom. The bed itself, was huge with a wooden bedframe. It had a bed cover that looked like a country quilt of many squares made of blue and white velvet. The walls were painted a light blue with white lace curtains. The furniture was painted white. There were baskets of flowers and beautiful porcelain lamps. Off to the left was a door that Harry opened to show a beautiful private bathroom. “Harry, it’s beautiful!” exclaimed Molly. “Harry, this is too much,” said Arthur, as he examined all the expensive furnishings. “No it’s not. We hoped that you would like it. It just seemed to be the kind of room that fits your personality,” said Harry. “Well, I wouldn’t mind sleeping here tonight,” said Arthur, smiling. “Of course,” said Harry. “Since you have moved, we’ll think of something. For now, it is YOUR bedroom. Of course, if there is anything that you would like to change about it, feel free.” Molly grabbed Harry and gave him a huge hug. “You are such a good son.” Arthur had walked into the bathroom and was exclaiming about the plush towels and his and hers bathrobes. “I’ll talk to Winky about what kind of feast she can whip up on short notice,” said Harry. He took Ginny’s hand and left Arthur and Molly to find the few little extras he had put in their drawers. Once they were outside the room, summoned Winky, who popped up immediately. “Winky, the Weaselys will be staying for dinner tonight. Do we have enough to feed everyone? We will need food for at least ten, probably twelve,” asked Harry. “Of course, Harry Potter. Winky loves to cook for Weezys,” she said. The popped away again. “Harry, that was so sweet of you to make Mum and Dad such a beautiful bedroom,” said Ginny. “I thought you all were going to be living here. I’m so stupid. I should have known better,” said Harry, disappointedly. “It will all work out,” said Ginny. She moved in close and caressed his chin. “You are so thoughtful. Thank you, my darling.” Harry didn’t hesitate, he leaned down to kiss her softly. They knew they only had a few seconds before someone would interrupt them, so they parted and started down the stairs. Harry took her to his new master bedroom to show her what Winky had done. The room had been transformed. The walls were now stripped of all wallpaper and were painted a neutral light tan. There was now a forest green plush carpet where there once were stained wooden planks. The bed was huge, like Mr. and Mrs. Wealsey’s. It had a velvet paisley bedspread with dark green being the background color along with gray, black and golden yellow. There were several velvet throw pillows positioned on the bed. Above the bed, the beautiful painting of a phoenix from his other room, that was shared with Ron, was positioned in the center. On each side of the bed was a night stand with a lamp. To the right of the bed in the corner, between the two windows was a large beautiful round table made of cherry wood. Upon the table was a three foot vase, filled with flowers. Upon the table rested three gold frames with a pictures of Harry and Ginny. There were two cherry wood chairs with dark green velvet seats positioned near the table. Behind the table the windows were dressed with mini blinds with gold swaged curtains. Closer to the front of the room was a golden yellow velvet chair in front of the right wall window. There was a little table with a lamp for reading next to the chair. Winky had refinished the cherry wood furniture so that it shone like new. There were three huge dressers, one with a ornate mirror above it. The other two dressers had pictures of his friends in gold frames sitting neatly. “Oh!” exclaimed Ginny. “It’s beautiful!” Harry had put a Silencing charm up, in case Ron or Luna happened to come up and hear them. “I hope you like it. It is ‘our’ room. Well... whenever we are allowed to use it,” said Harry, wiggling his eyebrows. “Right now, a broom closet would be good enough for me,” said Ginny, huskily. “Hmmmm,” said Harry. He kissed her boldly, knowing they may have only a moment before they could be interrupted again. They grudgingly left the room and went down to the Living Room where Ron and Luna were waiting. “Took you long enough! What’s going on?” asked Ron. “Mrs. Figg is missing. Tonks is investigating. Fred and George are coming for dinner, maybe Lupin too,” said Harry. “Oh!” said Luna. “I need to go back to The Burrow and get dressed for Fred.” “It took you that long for them to just tell you THAT? They could have told that right here!” said Ron, testily. “Well, that is the shortened version,” said Harry. “Oh, yeah. I guess,” said Ron. Harry and Ginny took Ron and Luna up to the master bedroom to show them what Winky had done. “Blimey! Harry. This is so cool ! Winky really knows her stuff, doesn’t she?” said Ron. “Yeah, she has a flare. I didn’t think I would want my own room, but after she got done with it, I had to move in,” said Harry. “The pictures of Ginny makes it homey,” said Luna. Harry grinned. A while later, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley came down and took Ginny, Luna and Ron back to The Burrow. While they were gone, Harry showered and changed his clothes. Back at The Burrow, Ron had showered and changed also. He came down to the kitchen where his mother was straightening up. “Mum, I don't get it. How come you didn't jump all over Harry and Ginny. Harry was hanging all over her or maybe it was Ginny doing the hanging... anyway, they just stood there holding on to each other right in front of you and Dad, talking like it was ‘normal’.” “Well, Ginny really MISSED Harry. She was just got a little over excited,” said Molly, wearily. “So it’s all right with you and Dad about Harry and Ginny?” asked Ron. “Of course. Why do you ask?” asked Molly. “I don’t know,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “Don’t you approve of them?” asked Molly. “Yeah, of course, I mean, Ginny’s always been crazy about Harry. I don’t know anyone else that is good enough for her. So, I guess it’s all right with me,” said Ron, but he felt uncomfortable. “I suppose that it is hard on you, being best friends with Harry and all. I guess it makes it awkward at times,” said Molly with an understanding tone. “Actually it’s not. I mean, they don’t show a lot of affection in front of me. Mum, something is not right about Harry and Ginny.” “What do you mean?” “Well... something is just not RIGHT. I mean... Harry treats Ginny kinda strange. I mean he don't kiss her exactly right... I've only seen them kiss right... twice... once when they first got together and... eh well... recently. All the other times... well, he kisses her like she is a baby or something. I mean, he kisses her on the lips but it is... well... almost reverent. I don't really know how to explain it.” “AND... the way he moves his hands when he’s near her. I mean, it’s like he is deliberately making sure that he doesn't touch her inappropriately. Also, when they sit on a sofa... he always puts a pillow between them. I mean... it’s not NATURAL,” said Ron. “I’m sure that Harry is being cautious because he doesn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.” “I don’t think so, not entirely. I’ve seen them together when they didn’t think I was around. Not intentionally, mind you, but I’ve come across them when they were out on their ‘walks’ together,” said Ron. “Do you think that he doesn't love her?” asked Molly. “No... he LOVES her... there is NO DOUBT in my mind about that. Sometimes the way he looks at her... I don't know... they just act WEIRD.” “Well... hmmmm... ya know... everything Harry says or does is monitored carefully. I think that since he is older now, he is more aware of that. And since he has a relationship now, he doesn't want any unwelcomed criticisms, especially regarding Ginny. I'm sure he wants to protect her reputation. You KNOW how he is about protecting those he loves.” “Yeah, I guess. Hmmmm... well then, WHY does he treat her that way now that we’re home? You'll see.” “He probably acts the same at home to keep himself in the habit. You know he is always under a lot of pressure. It’s very difficult to live your life naturally, when your every movement is watched,” said Molly. Ron nodded, but wasn’t completely reassured. * * * * |
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