Chapter 08
« Were you expecting someone » Arthur asked hesitantly.
« No, not as far as I know, » Harry answered distractedly...
Harry turned his gaze to the living room door, waiting to see the newcomers enter and find out who they were... A minute or two later, two people he knew very well entered the room, to everyone's amazement.
« Pansy, Blaise! » Harry exclaimed as he stood up, « what are you doing here? »
« We thought we'd come to see you and have tea, but I see you're quite... Busy? And I don't think Gabriel is here... » Blaise replied slightly.
« ... Don't tell me you've bought him something, AGAIN, Blaise Zabini? » Questioned Draco exasperated.
« ... No? » Smiled the Italian innocently, « you know very well that I can't always buy him things, he'd end up spoiled, come on!... What do you take me for? »
« Blaise Zabini, the guy who has a big complex because he's not my son's favorite uncle, who else? » Harry retorted sarcastically.
« Touched, » sighed Blaise, « well, I guess I'll give him his stuffed toy later on then... »
« Indeed, that would be wise, » Harry said with a mischievous smile, « unless you want to go to Malfoy Manor to give it to him directly and in front of Narcissa? »
« ... No, I think it will wait, » squealed Blaise in reply.
« That's what I thought. »
« Can we come back later if you want? » Pansy asked her face showing no emotion.
« Why is that? » Wondered, Draco, « you're already here, and you know you're always welcome, Pansy! »
« He's right, » smiled Harry, « sit down. I think the conversation would soon be over anyway. »
« Oh? »
« Hm. We've all agreed on some things, it should - normally - be better now! »
« I see, » Pansy said thoughtfully.
The two newcomers looked at the Weasleys without showing anything - Slytherin being known mainly for their powers of observation, getting the right conclusions was not so much of a challenge for them. - Pansy saw that Hermione and Molly didn't seem totally comfortable with two new Slytherins in the room, but had the good sense not to say anything. Ronald Weasley, meanwhile, had turned red - very noticeable, but it went with his house, after all... - however, even though Blaise and Pansy knew - still - nothing of the agreement they had made before their arrival, could see that it was already somehow bearing these fruits, and even the angry Gryffindor said nothing. And that was one of the most amazing things they saw here. Both green and silver knew that Harry must have been very important to everyone here, but to really accept all this, it must have been more than they had thought. It was amazing, but at the same time not so amazing. It was true that they'd been through a lot together, whether you like it or not, it's a bonding thing.
Pansy's gaze - Blaise had given up and had simply gone to sit on one of the armchairs that were still free - fell on Arthur. She knew that he was more or less a submissive to Molly. Doing everything he could to make her happy. But it looked as if he had finally taken over - so to speak - and was positioned on Harry's side with the twins. It was remarkable, and not as surprising as she would have thought, after all. The only Slytherin present was very attached to Harry, she had taken the time to really get to know him when he had got to know Draco, and regretted very much the actions she might have taken before, so she was very grateful to the twins, for always siding with the brunette, for supporting him and being there for him. All the time.
Finally, she looked at the last of the Weasleys, Ginny. Ginny was frowning and didn't look happy at all. Pansy looked at Blaise for two seconds. She knew right away that their biggest problem now would be Ginny Weasley. And Blaise had understood exactly the same thing.
« Are you settling in okay? » Harry asked with a smirk on his face, saying he knew exactly what the two new guys had just done.
« Oh, extremely, » replied Blaise, « you can go on with the show. Pretend we're not here!
« I'd be delighted," Harry laughed softly. »
« Harry, » Ginny became impatient, « I must speak to you. »
« Oh, sorry, I forgot you were here, » replied the brunette nonchalantly, « What did you want to talk to me about again? »
« About the fact that you're making a huge mistake, and that I want to stop you before it's really too late! »
« Oh really? » Blaise cut sarcastically, « I mean... They've been a couple for five years. They've been married for three. And they have a child together. Child who is two years old. But other than that, you don't think it's too late? »
« It's not too late. He can still divorce Malfoy, take custody of the child because everyone knows Malfoy is NOT a good father, » spit out Ginny without paying attention to Harry's growing anger, « and then marry me and be the happiest man in the world! Or maybe even with someone else. Not that that's what I want, because I'd much rather he married me, but everyone is better than Malfoy! »
« Ginny, stop it, » Hermione begged, « you're just making yourself worse. Calm down and think rationally. »
« Yeah, Gin'. We've just spent weeks trying to get Harry's friendship back, do you really think you can get Harry's friendship back if you talk like that? » Ron continued.
« Oh shut up you two. I can understand you're trying and honestly I think you're going too far, because accepting the fact that Harry has changed is one thing, he's gotten a hell of a lot hotter. Mature and all that, that's true! But from accepting the fact that you accepted to try to be polite with this old Death Eater, excuse me but it's ridiculous! »
« Ridiculous, you say? » Says Harry coldly.
« Exactly ! Why won't you accept that ! Open your eyes Harry, please. »
« Oh, but my eyes are wide open Ginny, » said Harry falsely calm, « and I can tell you I don't like what I see. »
« Do you finally realize that Draco is absolutely not the right man for you? » asked Ginny, suddenly full of hope!
« No, what I see is that as much as I think I can forgive Molly, Ron and Hermione... With time and compromise - especially on their part - and maybe manage to become friends again. As much as I know I absolutely don't want YOU in my life anymore. »
« What? How dare you say that?! After all I've done for you! I've waited five bloody years for you Harry, I've always hoped you'd come back to be with me. To have the life that Ron and Hermione have now, children and a home and a REAL family! I haven't seen anyone, you hear me, NOTHING while you were away. My feelings haven't changed! Then how dare you look me straight in the eye and tell me that you don't want me in your life anymore! Ginny screams with tears in her eyes and extremely angry. »
A heavy silence followed the redhead's tirade. Everyone held their breath waiting to see what Harry would do. Ginny had clearly crossed the line, and even Draco had lost his mask. She had hit where it hurt, and everyone here, except Ginny, knew it was the last straw. Harry's face was totally shut. His eyes so darkened by anger that they appeared black. His fists were clenched, and the room temperature was so cold that even the North Pole seemed like a tropical island. They knew it was over for Ginny, and that no matter what anyone said, Harry wouldn't change his mind. Ron and Hermione were sad, that Ginny had lost her temper like that, that she didn't listen to them. Ginny was Ron's little sister, and even though Harry would never see her the way she wanted, he had thought that if she could at least have his friendship and some time, it would be okay. But even he was aware of the mistake she'd just made. And he would do absolutely nothing to stop Harry from doing what he wanted. Not now that he had finally understood, more or less accepted the new Harry. Not after he had managed to reintegrate himself somewhat into his old best friend's life.
Molly wasn't doing very well. She didn't really know what to do. Ginny was her baby, her youngest. Her daughter. She wanted to go and hold her, try to calm her down. Protect her from Harry's wrath. But Harry was like a son to her, no matter what had happened until today... And even though Ginny was her baby, even Molly knew she was getting what she deserved. Harry was a lovely and an extremely sweet person... Except when it came to his family. And Draco was his husband, his family by right. The father of his child. And Ginny hadn't respected that. It was all over.
Ginny, on the other hand, knew she'd said something stupid... But she was proud. Proud that she'd said what she knew - falsely, now - everyone thought but hadn't dared to say out loud. She had done the right thing. Harry was going to be angry for a while, but after that it would be all right. She knew it! It was for the best. And if she had managed to hurt Malfoy, then that was a - big - bonus.
« Get out of my house, » Harry whispered almost inaudibly.
« What? » Ginny asked with a big smile, not having heard what the brunette had just said.
« Get out of my house! » Harry spoke loudly, « get out of my house and don't you dare try to step foot in it again. »
« But... Harry! »
« I told you to leave, » said the most powerful wizard in the room, « get out before I do something I won't regret, but that would compromise my family. Get out, get away from here. »
« You don't really mean it Harry, » tried the redheaded girl as she slowly approached Harry, « you know I'm right, that's why you're reacting like this. »
« Ginny, » Harry's voice had taken a threatening tone, « all that comes out of my mouth now is what I've been thinking all along. You're not welcome here, and you never will be. I was willing to give you a chance for your family. Because I figured if I gave one to Ron, Hermione and Molly, I might as well try with you. But you don't have that right anymore. You've crossed the line, » he said as he approached Ginny, who was beginning to realize what was really going on, "I don't want to hear or see you or even know you exist anymore.
« Harry... »
« Have I made myself clear? »
« Please, just... »
« Don't make me repeat myself, Ginevra Weasley! Have I made myself WELL understood? »
« Yes, » she said in a very small voice starting to feel suffocated by Harry's magic.
« Good. » Harry simply replied, retreating and making the room somewhat breathable, « I warn you, Ginny. This is the last time I'm going to let you go like this, and next time I swear I won't be so nice. And trust me when I say you don't want me to get any meaner. »
« Yes, Harry. »
« Now, » he exclaimed with a falsely cheerful look on his face and his head tilted to the side, « what are you still doing in my house? »
« But, Harry... »
« I just asked you a question! »
« I, uh... I'm leaving. »
With tears on her cheeks, Ginny Weasley left the Malfoy-Potter home...
Ginny ran as fast as she could, trying to put as much distance as possible between her and the house where Harry lived. After a while, she stopped, out of breath... Then she remembered that she was, in fact, a witch... And that she could simply appear to the Burrow and lock herself up in her room and cry all the tears of her body in peace. So that's what she did.
Once in her room, and after crying for a long time, her parents, Ron and Hermione had still not returned. In a way, it suited her in a way. She didn't want to face them. Couldn't look at them and pretend that everything was all right when she had lost the right to even look at Harry when they... They had passed the "test" that Harry had put them through. They had managed to get back into Harry's life. Certainly, at the moment it was mainly a trial period, but still, it was more than she would ever have! They had succeeded where she had failed!
She didn't understand why it was like that! It wasn't the way it was supposed to be! Where had she made a mistake?! She said what she was thinking, and she knew she was right, so why was she the one who was kicked out and not Malfoy?! Why did Harry seem to be so angry with her? Was it because he knew it was the truth and didn't want to face it? Some kind of denial phase before he finally faced the truth? Or was it that she had spoken too quickly, without really thinking, and had said exactly what she shouldn't have said. She had verbally humiliated the husband of the person she said she loved. She had insulted him, and had just told Harry to divorce him and take Gabriel to raise him together, and to deprive the blond man she hated so much of his own son, when logically speaking he seemed like a good father. To love his family. To love Harry!
She didn't want to accept the other option. And Ginny, for all you could tell about her, wasn't an idiot. She knew that instead of saying logically, calmly and subtly what she wanted to say... In a measured, adult conversation with Harry and an exchange of opinion, which he probably would have taken better, she had simply let her jealousy speak for her. The rational part of her brain knew that she was going to - and had - done something stupid. One that she couldn't fix. But the "love" part of her brain just blew the rational out of proportion and took up all the space.
To see Harry and Malfoy being so... In love. Happy. Feeling good about themselves. Fulfilled. That even without Ron and Hermione in his life, Harry had managed to grow up and find himself. That he had found Malfoy and married the man they all used to think of as the enemy. That he had become close friends with other people. And that he hadn't seen fit to warn them, to give them any news. That Blaise and Pansy had clearly taken the place that Ron and Hermione had occupied before. That Malfoy had taken the place that should have been hers. So, yes, she was extremely jealous. It hurt to see all her dreams go away as if they only mattered to her. But her jealousy didn't help her. On the contrary, it ruined everything.
Oh, she wouldn't give up. And probably never would. But Harry had made it clear. And she was beginning to understand that between her and the dark-haired guy, nothing would happen. She could have at least been friends with him, and even though it would hurt, she knew she could handle it. With time. But now she... Now she was just a groupie to Harry. She had become one of the people Harry hated more than anything in the world today. She was no longer his best friend's little sister, the little girl who had been allowed to approach him, to talk to him normally. To have privileges that many wanted and few had. No, today it was no longer her place, and all that, simply because she couldn't keep her mouth shut. And couldn't be happy for the person she was sure she loved. And today, lying on her bed, with tears running down her cheeks, she became fully aware of what she had done. And that it was all over.
Over because Ron and Hermione were no longer Harry's closest friends, and she couldn't play the best friend's little sister card anymore. Over because she had been selfish and hadn't accepted that Harry had grown up, matured... Changed. Over because she had spoken without thinking, and not only had she hurt Harry, she had hurt the person who had brought him everything he had ever wanted. And she understood... She understood that she had just ruined everything...
But was that a good enough reason to give up? She didn't know. Didn't know anymore. She just wanted to sleep for now. She'd think about it later...
At the same time on Harry's side, Harry was still looking at the place where Ginny had been a few minutes before, his face still closed, eyebrows still furrowed. He was angry. What right did she have to say everything she'd said! What right did she have to criticize his choices, to choose what "would be good" for him! To insult the person he loved. It was over. It was over. He wanted to make a little effort. To listen to her calmly and perhaps succeed in making her open her eyes to reality. But he was giving up. Sure, he was now ready to give Molly, Ron and Hermione a second chance, but for Ginny, it was over. He didn't want to see her again unless he had to, and Harry Potter would never have to do anything ever again. Or very rarely. Especially when Draco was the pushy one... And usually Harry would do it willingly...
As he stared into the void, thinking of nothing but all the things he wanted to do to Ginny, everyone looked on with apprehension. Blaise and Pansy were more or less used to it by now. It wasn't the first time he'd seen him like that, after all, when you choose to make your life with Draco Malfoy, a lot of people were bound to have their doubts. Whether it was in Britain or not... The Great War had gone around the world. Everybody knew who Harry was and who Draco was... And with the English expats, too, it had inevitably made people talk. ...so they had to have seen Harry in that state before. And they knew that when he was like that, the only person who could bring him down was Draco. Always. - And Gabriel, but generally speaking, they all tried not to let Harry get so upset when the kid was around... -
For Ron, Hermione, Molly and Arthur, however, it was the first time. Even when Harry had been angry with Voldemort, Death Eater and even Dumbledore, he had never been like that. The first thing that jumped out at them was that Harry could control his magic now. Something he couldn't before he left. They assumed it was a good thing, although they wondered how he'd managed to do it where they'd failed to help him. They wanted to talk. Reassure Harry. Tell him he'd made the right choice and that Ginny had crossed the line. - Sure, she was Ron's sister and the daughter of Molly and Arthur, but even they weren't blind enough and knew that Ginny had no right to say what she had said. -
Before, it was their role to understand Harry, to calm him down, help him and reassure him. That wasn't the case anymore. Not that that was going to stop them.
« Harry," Hermione tried Hermione softly, « are you all right?
Harry didn't answer and just looked at her.
« Harry? » Tried Ron.
« Shh, » cut Blaise and Pansy off at the same time.
« What? » Retorqued Ron, « you're not going to tell me not to talk. I can help Harry! »
« No, » Blaise simply replied.
« What do you mean? » Asked Hermione.
« Maybe that was the case before, when you were all great friends. That's not the case now. All you have to do is to sit quietly. Because the only person who can calm him down when he's like this is none other than Draco. No one else. »
Before Ron and Hermione even thought to retaliate, they saw Draco get up and take Harry in his arms, seemingly whispering things that only they could hear. And despite their curiosity, they decided it was for the best if they closed their mouths and waited for everything to calm down, as Blaise and Pansy had told them.
What could Draco have possibly said to calm Harry down? Is Ginny really gonna lay low from now on? Or is she absolutely not going to give up? Everything's almost back in place in their lives... ...but nothing always turns out the way we planned.