Things Start Looking Up

Chapter 6 – Things Start Looking Up

Harry dropped by Ginny's classroom the next day and asked if he could speak with her again. She would be wary of him for some time to come, he expected that, and couldn't blame her, but he wanted to start making inroads back into her heart as soon as realistically possible ... even if he had to start almost literally from scratch.

"Ginny, I thought you'd like to know that 'Mione and I have officially split up."

"Well, that's good for you," she returned quietly. "So what do you expect of me now?"

"I want us to start over. From scratch, if we have to ... but I want to start spending time with you again outside of class, even if it's just having a talk over butterbeer in the faculty lounge."

"That might work," she returned cautiously, "as long as you don't try to pressure me too soon."

"No pressure," he assured her. "How about tomorrow after classes are over for the day?"

"Hmmm. Let me check my schedule." She opened her 'little black book' and leafed through it. "Yes, I believe I have some free time about then. Would you like me to bring treacle tart? Mum made it and sent it to me. I just got it today."

"That would be great," Harry returned, doing his best to keep his smile simply a friendly one and not give away his newly rekindled love for her, for Ginny knew how much he had always enjoyed treacle tart. It would also be good to have some of Molly's cooking again, even if she didn't know it. "See you tomorrow."

It was all he could do to make it out the door without clicking his heels together, he was so happy. He then mounted his broom and spent the next half hour joyfully flying, using every Quidditch move he could think of, something he hadn't done in years, all the while making sure he was well away from Ginny's earshot before verbally giving vent to his new-found happiness.

Maybe he could get her to go flying with him eventually, each on their own brooms at first, then maybe on his like they used to when they were dating. Merlin knew it wouldn't be easy not to touch her, kiss her, or make love to her, but Gin was worth the wait...and the chance to know his oldest daughter was certainly worth the wait!

Harry's hair and clothing were messier and more rumpled than usual by the time he got back to his quarters, but he was too euphoric to care. He found Luna waiting for him with the girls. "Where have you been, Harry? I had to come back and wait with the girls since you weren't here to meet them."

"Sorry, Luna. Just got ... sidetracked. It won't happen again." She gave him a skeptical look, and he said, "Or more accurately, not if I can help it."

"May I ask if it has anything to do with Ginny?" Luna asked quietly as he walked her back to the fireplace, making sure the girls couldn't hear them, knowing how much in love Harry and Ginny had once been ... and with luck, would be again.

Harry's flush and grin told Luna everything she needed to know.

"Well, best of luck to you both."

"Thanks." He pressed more Galleons into her hand after digging into his pocket for them. "Here's more Galleons for your trouble. Take Ron out for a special meal or something; leave your kids with Molly. My treat."

"Oh, Harry, you're too generous," she returned, tears misting her eyes.

"It's the least I can do after the way I've hurt him. And let me know how it goes." He gave her a sly wink.

"Will do. Thanks again." With that, Luna threw the Floo powder into the fireplace and said, "The Ron Weasley residence!" then stepped into the heatless flame and was gone.

"Where were you, Daddy?" Helen demanded. "We missed you. Not that we minded Luna, she's nice and all, but..."

"I just went out for some solo flying. Haven't done it in a long time." Harry had no idea he was still sporting such a silly grin that even his girls could tell he was hiding something, but they didn't say anything.

"Right, Dad," she returned, humouring him. "But you need to get some supper for us now."

"Wait. I've got an idea. Why don't I teach you girls how to cook? That way, if I don't happen to be around, you can still feed yourselves."

"But you cook things just the way we like them," Lily protested.

"If I can do it, you should be able to as well, I think. Now come on, let's go! It's not getting any earlier!" He ushered both girls in the direction of the kitchen, and within half an hour, they were well into the first cooking lesson.

* * * * *

As far as Harry could tell, Lily was perhaps on her way to being a good cook; she might even end up cooking for both her sister and herself. It would take some time, but at least this way, it was likely that he would be able to free up some time to spend with Ginny. It was astonishing how giddy and light-headed he felt at the mere thought of being with her, looking into her eyes, seeing her smile ... it was as if the last ten years had never been, and he was a lovesick sixteen-year-old again.

It would also be interesting to see how being near him, looking into his eyes, seeing him smile affected Ginny. Fortunately Harry knew her well enough to know what to look for (or believed he did, anyway), actions which would tell him her true feelings, whatever she might say verbally. Just the same, he couldn't start seriously dating again without letting the girls know as soon as possible.

His renewed relationship with Ginny was still too casual for that just yet. Should it reach the point where he wanted to bring her to his quarters to spend the night (and he fully intended that to happen, just as soon as he could manage it), then he would seriously consider sitting the girls down and telling them about Ginny and his feelings for her.

For the time being, when he hadn't even held her hand, he figured it was safe enough not to say anything to them. If either asked or happened to hear Luna talking about it, he would simply say that Ginny was someone he liked very much and wanted to see as often as possible. Helen seemed to be the more perceptive of the two emotionally, so he knew to be prepared for any questions she might come up with such as 'Do you intend to marry Ginny one day, Dad?' In which case, he thought he might come back with, 'Would you mind if I did?'

It would be awkward, to say the least, if the girls demanded to know the full story of both his relationship with Ginny and the one with their mother, but Harry told himself it might be a good idea if he prepared himself for this at the earliest possible time, possibly even with Ginny by his side. No guarantee he would be able to get 'Mione to do the same, so he might suggest they ask her directly, whatever he was unable to tell them.

As for his other problems, Remus had so far proven immovable in regards to reinstating Harry as godson before he'd proven himself. It continued to bother Harry, but there wasn't much he could do to change it, at least not until or if he could manage to show some progress on the romantic front with Ginny. He'd promised not to rush her or pressure her and intended to keep that promise, but because of that, it would take longer to show progress and thus his sincerity regarding Ginny, which would, in turn, convince Moony that he was worthy of once again being his godson.

As for the Weasleys, as he'd acknowledged before, Molly would be the toughest nut to crack, so Harry and company decided to start with her. She was only willing to come, of course, if the grandchildren were in school and Ginny sat in on the discussion, so Harry promised to see if he could get her to join them. When he saw her in the faculty lounge during their mutual break the following day, and they were again sharing a butterbeer, this time with mince pies and treacle tart, he took a deep breath and jumped in with both feet.

"We've been trying to get your family to come by in an attempt to get them to reconcile with me, but I'm told that your mum is only willing to come if you sit in on the discussion." He held his breath while waiting for her answer.

Ginny frowned, and Harry was sure that she intended to refuse. A part of him couldn't blame her if she did, but he doubted the reconciliation could be brought about without her. "I'll understand if you don't want to, after all I've put you and your family through, but I would really appreciate some help. You know that your family is the closest thing I've ever had to one, and if at all possible, I'd like to have it back."

But all she said in response was, "When was she thinking of coming?"

"Tomorrow morning, after the children are in school. You might have to get a sub for at least one, if not two, of your Charms classes. Would that be possible?"

Again there was a long, ominous silence before Ginny broke into a smile. "All right, I'll do it." Harry found it very difficult not to reach out and hug her, but he managed; he simply gave a relieved smile. He even suspected that he knew who the substitute was likely to be. Next to Transfiguration, 'Mione had been best at Charms, if memory served him correctly.

"Thanks. I'll tell Minerva, and we'll meet your mum in her office at ten o'clock."

Harry had gotten up and was heading for the door when Ginny called after him. "This doesn't get you off the hook with me, though. Remember, you've still got to toe the line to my satisfaction for me to be willing to spend non-professional time with you."

"I'm aware of that, Ginny. I fully intend to prove myself to you, whatever it takes. See you tomorrow morning." Harry nodded and smiled in her direction before disappearing through the door.

In spite of her best efforts, Ginny's heart began to pound at the sight of Harry's smile and twinkling green eyes. Dear God, how could she still feel so much for him, even after ten years? He had no idea that it had been every bit as hard for her to keep from grabbing him and snogging him senseless as it had been for him to keep from doing it to her.

She was one of the few who knew how warm and sweet his lips were, the ecstasy they could evoke with every kiss, both on her lips and anywhere else on her body he decided to use them. How his large but gentle hands and very talented fingers could caress her like no one else, almost literally transporting her to heaven with one touch, depending on where and how much he happened to touch her.

She also knew how determined Harry could be when he chose to, and she was fairly confident that he would keep his word, especially now, but she was frankly more concerned as to whether or not she would be able to keep hers...particularly if she was around him very much. Even as dangerous as she knew it to be, Ginny was frankly unable to stay away from him, unable to resist any entreaty he might send her way, as long as it meant being with him, even for a little while.

It would take longer than overnight to make up for ten years apart, but she had every intention of having them begin again just as soon as he could satisfy her as to his sincerity, convince her that he didn't intend to ever leave her again, not for anything or anyone. And once that point was reached, if she had anything to say about it, Harry wouldn't know what hit him. In fact, she intended to knock him for the proverbial loop, in more ways than one, when she deemed it the proper time.

But for the time being, she had to start thinking how to wear her mother down so that she would allow Harry back into the family fold again. What Molly said was law in the Weasley household, so if she welcomed Harry back, the rest of the Weasleys would follow suit and not complain, at least not outwardly. Of course, they would still have to treat Ron with kid gloves, but other than that, it should be all right.

* * * * *

The next day at ten o'clock, Ginny and Harry were called into McGonagall's office to speak with Molly, with Dumbledore's portrait serenely observing the whole time. Molly stiffened upon seeing Harry; it hurt him but he told himself he understood after all he and Hermione had put the Weasleys through the last ten years and what Ron was still going through because of them. They sat down facing McGonagall after she conjured up extra chairs, Ginny sitting next to Molly in order to facilitate them talking to each other.

After a time, Molly asked her how Harry had been treating her since his return, seeming to relax as if the weight of the world had just been lifted off her shoulders, then turned her head in Harry's direction before meeting Ginny's eyes again. When she returned to Harry again, her face had softened considerably, and her voice sounded like she was ready to break down crying at almost any minute.

"We never stopped caring about you, Harry, but after what you did to Ron and Ginny, we just couldn't allow you to..."

Harry held up a hand. "I understand, Molly, and I don't blame you for turning me away. I'd have done the same thing in your place. But now all I want to do is make it up to you all as best I can, especially Ginny." He smiled in her direction, then turned back to Molly. "You're the closest thing I've ever known to a mother, and I've missed that. I want to have it back, but only if you feel you can forgive me for my past mistakes and give me the chance to once again prove myself worthy of your love. What do you say? Can I be your son again?"

Harry smiled and held out his arms; Molly hesitated for only a moment before moving to hug Harry as she usually did...so tightly that he could hardly breathe. This time, both began crying and hugged each other even tighter. Molly soon brought Harry's unruly dark head down to her shoulder, stroking his hair and crying even more. "My boy, my boy ... you're back!"

"And I'll never leave again," he assured her. "Because everything I want...everything I need...is right here." His eyes found Ginny again and lingered on her before reaching for her hand. She smiled, took it, and squeezed it...and from that moment on, Harry was back in the fold. Now the two remaining problems of how to re-introduce Hermione and how to handle having both Ron and Harry in the house at the same time had to be addressed very carefully and very gradually. But one thing at a time, as Dumbledore's portrait had said. What mattered right now was that Harry was part of the family again.

* * * * *

Once they'd said their farewells to Molly, Harry asked Ginny if he could walk her to her next class. She hesitated only a moment before smiling and nodding in assent. As they fell into step, he asked which years she was teaching today. "Second and third. They're a real handful. They've heard of your doing a Patronus in your third year and expect me to teach it to them. I told them they'd have to ask you about that, but it doesn't stop them. In fact, I'm even thinking..."

Harry put a hand on her arm, and they stopped for a moment before he leaned over and kissed her.

Once he pulled back, she gave him a suspicious look. "May I ask what that was all about?"

"Just felt like doing it." He gave her a sly wink as they resumed walking.

"Don't push your luck. You may have been able to sweet-talk Mum, but you're still not out of the woods with me yet. Remember, you promised not to pressure me."

"What pressure?" Harry asked innocently. "I just kissed you, that's all."

"In public. On the lips. That's pressure in my book," Ginny threw back.

"So what? It wouldn't be the first time."

"That's beside the point. I never gave you permission."

"So I need permission to kiss you now?"

"Yes. Mainly because of that little matter of your running off with my best friend ten years ago and marrying her. Not to mention lying to everyone, including me, and saying that you were dead in order to cover your tracks."

"I know what we did was wrong, Gin, but that's over now. All I want to do is put it behind us and move on."

"What about your girls? You can't just put them behind you, you know."

"Nor can you just put Lily behind you. After all, she represents the love we once shared. Feelings like that aren't easily forgotten."

"I've not forgotten her ... or you. I couldn't." Ginny's voice was quiet, almost too quiet for Harry to hear. "But that doesn't mean I'm just going to simply forget what you've done and let you back into my bed again as if nothing has happened."

"I don't expect you to. I just want a chance to prove myself to you again." Harry put a hand on Ginny's cheek, effectively stopping them in their tracks once again, looking deeply, earnestly, into her eyes. Ginny moaned softly, closed her eyes in pain and covered his hand with hers.

"Harry, please don't do that. I'm not ready."

"Sorry." He dropped his hand, and they resumed walking. As it turned out, she just barely got to her one o'clock class on time. As he left, he smiled and nodded in her direction, and Ginny fought to control her wildly pounding heart as she entered her classroom and prepared the lesson for her second- and third-year students as best she could.