Bond of the Spirits

About a week later, Ginny floo'd to the flat for a visit with Hermione. Kingsley, the new Minister of Magic, had asked Harry to come and see him. Harry had left promptly for the Ministry of Magic earlier in the day. Ginny stepped out of the living room fireplace in a flash of green light. After greeting Hermione, they both went into the kitchen and Hermione put the kettle on for tea.

"So are you the chief cook?" said Ginny with a smile.

"We've been sharing the cooking duties since we don't always take meals together. To be honest, Harry is as good at cooking the muggle way as I am using magic. Remember, he told us that he had to help his Aunt Petunia with the cooking whenever he stayed at the Dursley's house."

"So give me the grand tour of your flat."

Hermione smiled. Acting like an exaggerated and animated real estate agent, she spread her arms. "This is the kitchen." Walking a few steps and making a dramatic sweeping wave of her hand, "This is the very spacious living room because it still lacks adequate furniture."

Ginny giggled. Hermione took her by the hand and led her across the room. "Please, step into the hallway." A few steps further in, Hermione stopped at the first open bedroom door. "This is Harry's room."

Ginny peered into the room. "Just a bed and nightstand?"

Hermione smiled, "Harry is still in 'tent mode'. He's working on that."

Beckoning Ginny further down the hall Hermione said, "This is my room."

She looked in and saw a partially assembled bookcase and several stacks of books on the floor. Other shelves lined the walls with more books and magical pictures of her parents and friends. The room had curtains on the window and was bright and cheerful.

"And finally ..." Hermione pointed with both hands as if introducing a performer. "This is the bathroom." In an analytical voice she said, "There were some problems with this room initially. So I wrote up a schedule and list of rules." She opened the medicine cabinet door. "See, they're right here." With satisfaction she said, "No further problems."

The teakettle began to whistle and Hermione hurried off. Ginny snickered to herself and made her way back to the kitchen.

Hermione poured the tea and motioned for Ginny to sit down. As she watched Ginny sip her tea she asked, "So Ginny, how are you doing?"

"I've been doing a lot of thinking lately trying to sort things out. Hogwarts will be open again this fall for classes as usual. Mum and Dad want me to go and complete my seventh year studies."

"I've said the same to both Harry and Ron."

"And I've been thinking about Harry and me and if ... if I need to fit him into my plans. I've been wondering ... can you tell me ... is he happy with the way things are right now?"

She took a sip of tea. "He's comfortable with the current arrangement. We talk most evenings about the activities of the day. He gets a lot of satisfaction out of working behind the scenes at the Ministry with Kingsley and the Auror department. Right now, I think Harry just wants to settle into a normal quiet lifestyle that isn't filled with death threats. He wants some solitude away from publicity and notoriety for a while."

Ginny nodded. "How does Harry feel about me?"

"I think it best you ask him that question. How do you feel about Harry?"

"The more I've thought about it, the less sure I am that Harry and I are ready for each other. I care very much about Harry, and you. I've watched the two of you when we're all together. I see something in your friendship with each other. You're like two birds in flight, free to go in any direction, and yet able to fly in formation without even thinking about it. That's something that hasn't happened yet between Harry and me. On the one hand, I want Harry and me to be together. And on the other hand, I feel like I'm a bit of a wedge keeping the two of you apart."

"Ginny, it was thoughts of you that kept Harry focused on our mission. You made a big difference to our success even though you weren't physically with us. We all gave Harry the strength and determination to walk into the forest that night. And we were each part of the reason he chose to come back. Never think that you didn't matter to us, then or now."

"Thanks Hermione, you really are my best friend." Feeling misty eyed, she blinked away a tear.

Ginny said, "Recently, I've met some people while working on the pitch at Hogwarts. Don't say anything to Harry or Ron about this but ... there are some quidditch opportunities that might open up for me. They could lead to a professional career."

Hermione nodded. "My lips are sealed."

"Thanks. I want to see if I've got what it takes. It will consume almost all of my time if it happens. That wouldn't be fair to a boyfriend who is looking to settle down. I especially don't want to hurt Harry. I care about him and our close friendship. I want that friendship to continue."

After a short pause, she looked at Hermione. "Can you tell me how you feel about Ron?"

Hermione took a deep breath. "I care very much for Ron. There's a depth of friendship between us that is hard to describe. I know that friendship will never be broken. We argue because we're both stubborn and opinionated. That was one of the strengths we both brought to our trio over the years. It provided critical perspectives and insights that helped us quickly develop action plans for the situations we found ourselves in. But for something that might eventually lead to a more permanent relationship, I feel that Ron and I don't have the right foundation yet. We haven't talked about it, but I think Ron knows that too. Right now, we're not what we need to be for each other in that kind of relationship."

"Hermione, I really value our friendship. When you're with Ron, I know you'll be there, you know, just to talk. I've worried that it might end if you and Ron break up."

"Ginny, whatever happens with Ron and me, it will not affect my relationship with you or your family. Both Harry and I are indebted to you and your family for so much. You gave us a safe place to hide, a family to belong to, and good people we can trust. I'm comfortable talking to you about anything. You feel like a sister to me. We might not see each other as often but you're still my best girlfriend and I want to keep it that way. We must stay in touch."

"We will," said Ginny. "You feel like a sister to me too."

They both squeezed each other's hand across the table.

A while later, there was a whoosh and Harry stepped from the green flames in the fireplace. He saw Hermione and Ginny sitting at the kitchen table, each holding a cup of tea, and smiling at him. After a wary glance and tinge of apprehension, he walked into the kitchen.

"Hi Harry. Ginny and I have been catching up."

"Hi Hermione. Hi Ginny."

Hermione said, "So how did your trip to the Ministry go?"

"Really well. I met with Kingsley and he—" Riiinnnngggg! Ginny jumped in surprise. Hermione got up and went to answer the muggle telephone.

With a shocked expression Ginny said, "It would take some time for me to get used to one of those." Then she smiled. "But Dad would love it."

"Hello... Hi Mum, how are you? ... What's that? ... Yes? ... Yes? ... Calm down Mum... Okay... Okay, I'll be there in a few minutes... Okay... Bye."

As Hermione moved to take her coat off the hook she said, "Sorry Ginny. Will you give me a few minutes to clear some things up for my mum? She needs some help with a Ministry form. I won't be too long. See you two in a bit."

"That's fine, I'll wait." said Ginny as the door closed behind Hermione. Ginny turned to look at Harry.

"Her parents are working their way through loads of Ministry regulations. They're trying to get their fireplace connected to the floo network. There's a lot of extra security to deal with."

Ginny just nodded. After a pause and feeling a bit unsure of himself he said, "Can I warm your tea?"

"Yes please, thanks."

He warmed her tea, poured a cup for himself, and then sat down at the table next to Ginny.

She said, "I was hoping I'd see you today. There's something I want to show you. It came by owl yesterday." She reached into a pocket and pulled out an envelope with the Hogwarts crest on it.

"You got your Hogwarts letter. Are you going to complete your seventh year?"

"Yes, Mum and Dad say it's really important for me to finish properly. What about you?"

"I'm still sorting it out. I definitely want to complete my seventh year."

She pulled a badge out of her Hogwarts envelope and handed it to him.

"Wow! You're captain of the Gryffindor quidditch team. That's fantastic. Congratulations!" He excitedly put his arm around her and gave her a hug. That caused some other feelings to resurface that he had not expected. As he slowly released her, their eyes met and he saw that she had felt something too.

In a soft voice she said, "I think there are some things we should talk about."

After a short pause, Harry nodded.

"I think my seventh year is going to be a very busy one. Besides all of my studies, I've got this new responsibility." She took the badge from Harry's hand and put it back in the envelope. "But there are other reasons why I have to go back. Last year was such a bad time to be at Hogwarts. I became very close friends with Neville, Luna, and a few other people. We worked very hard together to resist the horrible treatment of students. I think I know a little of what Azkaban must be like. While you were away this last month, I've had time to remember and think about my relationships with those people. It has helped me understand the kind of friendship you share with Hermione and Ron. These friends need me now and I need them, at least for a while. We need to help each other put last year behind us and move on."

With a knowing expression he said, "It's something very hard to describe isn't it? A deep familiarity and connection, a bond."

"Yes." said Ginny. "The sort of feeling ... like ... these people are part of me."

He smiled warmly and nodded his understanding.

"I've also reflected on our relationship. I think that sometimes I can be over dominating." She smiled. "I get that from Mum." With a caring expression she said, "I think I might be trying to force more between us than there really is right now."

He saw that her eyes were starting to tear up.

"I think that a romantic choice must be freely made by both individuals. And if that means we're to be just good friends ..." Ginny was unsuccessful in holding back her tears, "I ... will accept that."

Harry had become misty eyed also. He took her hand and lovingly held it. After a moment he said, "I haven't been fair to you. I've been very wrapped up in myself lately. There are still some things that seem incomplete about who I am. I'm thankful for the time apart you've given me to start sorting it out. It was hard to do when we were together. Your attractiveness tends to boggle my perceptions and thinking."

She smiled through teary eyes. "Thanks."

"Maybe it was infatuation with you or just my poor relationship skills with girls. I can be really thick headed at times as you well know."

He took her chin with his hand and gently guided her eyes to his. "But you helped me get through some of the darkest times of my life. Please, don't ever forget, I am forever grateful to you. I don't ever want to lose our friendship. You are part of my family."

Ginny turned and put her arms around him. "Oh Harry, thank you. You will always be my dear friend." Harry wrapped his arm around her. Placing their heads side by side, they embraced each other in truest friendship. After briefly holding each other in silent comfort, they separated.

After another moment he said, "So tell me your plans for the Gryffindor quidditch team."

He listened to her describe with enthusiasm her early planning. He didn't speak much, it was her team now and he would give her his thoughts only if she asked. She had some good ideas and he felt certain the team was in very good hands with her as captain. He made an offer to help her anytime, she need only ask. But knowing her as he did, he was certain she had a very clear idea of what she was going to do.

As they talked, they recalled memories of pranks and practical jokes the team members had played on each other. This caused fits of giggles and laughs between them. During the laughter following a particularly funny story, involving Fred and George, Hermione returned.

"You two are getting on well. What have I missed?"

Still giggling, Ginny said, "Oh ... Harry and I have just broken up."

"Erm..." The look on Hermione's face was priceless and it made both Harry and Ginny break into laughter again.

After a moment Ginny said, "Well, I need to get back to the Burrow. I have a lot of planning to do."

Ginny and Harry stood and they gave each other a firm hug. "Thanks Harry." she said with a sigh.

"Mhmm ... thank you too." He held her at arm's length. "I really want to see your quidditch games. Let me know when."

"I will," said Ginny with a warm smile.

She turned to Hermione who still had the remains of a bewildered look on her face. Hugging her, Ginny whispered in her ear, "Talk with me later. There's more I want to tell you."

Hermione whispered back with a smile, "Most certainly."

Ginny walked to the fireplace and took a pinch of floo powder. She smiled and happily waved goodbye to both of them. Then, tossing the powder into the fireplace, she stepped into the green flames that erupted saying "The Burrow!" and disappeared from sight.

Harry put one hand on his side and took a sip of his tea. He looked at Hermione with a self-satisfied expression on his face. Hermione raised her eyebrows and gave him a half smile, her expression saying, 'you-think-your-so-good'. They both snickered.

Chapter 1

Chapter Index

Chapter 3

Bond of the Spirits is an original fanfiction story based on the seven book series 'Harry Potter' written by J. K. Rowling. Harry Potter, the characters, names and related characters are trademarks of Warner Bros., Inc. Harry Potter publishing rights © J.K.R. This is an unofficial, not for profit site and is in no way connected with J.K. Rowling, Scholastic Books, Bloomsbury Publishing or Warner Bros., Inc. This site is not endorsed by any of these aforementioned parties. Rights to characters and their images is neither claimed nor implied. This fanfiction story is owned by the author and subject to copyright law under transformative use.