The words seemed distant to him, as they swam around in his mind. He was warm and comfortable, the feeling of sunlight on his face keeping his eyes closed. He could feel sleep on the tip of his eyelids, and Just as he was about to succumb to them, he heard the voice again, louder this time.
“There’s not much food left so you best move your ass!” Ron shouted to his best friend whose eyes were still shut.
Harry heard another voice, though he could not understand the words this time. It was not before Ron spoke again that he realised who it was. “Sorry mum! It won’t happen again.”
Harry smiled now, his eyes still shut, knowing Ron had just been scolded by his mother for his words. But before he could even begin to wake up properly, a pillow flung through the air, hitting him right in his face. “And you can wipe that smile off your face too!”
Harry slowly sat up laughing at his friend through bleary eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Harry said innocently, as he reached down picking up his glasses, putting them on.
Ron scoffed, leaving the room as Harry caught his last words, “Hurry up.”
Harry smiled, leaning lazily on his good arm as he observed the bright orange room. He was so happy to be here that he couldn’t keep the smile off his face. The curtains were open and the sunlight was shining through brightly, causing his eyes to remain half closed. He sighed relaxingly, gently shutting them as he took in the warmth that was provided.
“Are you moving?!” He heard Ron shout from floors below.
Harry laughed aloud, opening his eyes again as he forced himself to get up, Dressed in some pyjama bottoms and a t-shirt. Dudley had given his trunk to Remus at the hospital, along with Hedwig who had been in a foul mood not knowing where her master had been. Apparently she had not left her cage since the moment she had been taken to the Weasley’s, and that she had been rather snappish to anyone that approached her.
Harry thought back to last night, when she had flew down to him from somewhere upstairs after hearing his laughter. He had seen the relief in her big amber eyes as she had nibbled on his fingers affectionately.
Not even bothering to dress right away, he made the journey through the house to the bottom floor, heading into the kitchen, the smells of Mrs Weasley’s cooking drawing him in.
“Bout’ time too.” Ron muttered as Harry entered. Harry smirked at him lightly pushing his head as he walked passed him, taking up a seat at the table.
“Here you go Harry dear, I hope there’s enough there for you? Ron couldn’t help himself.” She said, shaking her head at her youngest son who was sat at the table, looking at Harry’s plate which was piled high with food.
“I’m a growing boy!” Ron said defiantly, as Harry laughed at him.
“It looks brilliant Mrs Weasley.”
“Suck up.” Ron grumbled under his breath as his mother smiled at Harry and returned to the sink, her wand raised.
Harry gave Ron a wink as he began to tuck into his food. At that moment, he heard footsteps coming from the living room, and looking up he saw Ginny dressed in some faded jeans and a deep blue top, her long deep red hair falling down her back.
“Morning Harry.” She said smiling, as she walked through the kitchen, her book in her arm.
“Hi.” Harry said, watching her as she walked through the kitchen and outside into the bright day. He continued to stare at the door where she had just left, his mouth full of delicious food that he was not even bothering to chew. It was only when Ron coughed that he snapped is attention back to his food, averting his eyes away from Ron who’s eyes he could feel upon him.
As his plate finally lay empty upon the table, he relaxed back into his chair. “Thanks Mrs Weasley, that was wonderful.”
She smiled at him, flicking her wand at his empty plate, which rose and landed gently on the pile of dirty plates that were taking it in turns to fly into the sink to be cleaned.
“That’s no problem at all Harry dear.” She replied. “And you should get dressed soon, Poppy will be arriving shortly to sort you out.”
Harry nodded at her smiling, thanking God that he would be feeling so much better soon. He wasn’t exactly in pain, but he felt rather uncomfortable with his broken ribs. It made it a lot harder for him to breath as demonstrated last night. And it had only been two days with his cast on and it was already frustrating him beyond belief, but knowing that this would all be over soon sent relief flooding through him at the very thought.
He looked at Ron who was sitting opposite him at the table, staring at the wall with a blank expression on his face, his mouth half open.
Harry smiled as he watched him, he was so relieved that he had Ron and Hermione, and that they were willing to abandon everything in their lives to come and help him out. He had thought about this too much over the summer so far, he desperately wanted to start on his hunt, but he didn’t want to leave the life he had behind him whilst that search took place. He didn’t want to leave Ginny, even though they were no longer a couple, he still loved seeing her. He couldn’t seem to help himself when it came to her.
“What?” Ron said, catching the smirk on Harry’s face.
“Nothing.” Harry said, as he slowly got to his feet. “Just going to get dressed.”
“Alright, you wanna game of Quidditch after your arms sorted and that?” Ron asked him, knowing the answer already. “I can get Fred and George to come down, and Charlie should be here soon, we can play 3 on 3. I’ll go ask Ginny now if you want?”
“Yeaa sounds good to me.” Harry smiled, watching as Ron got up too, jogging slightly as he headed outside in search for his sister. Harry left the kitchen, heading towards the stairs. As he made his way up, rather slower than he had on his way down, he reached the very top opening Ron’s bedroom door, his breathing slightly heavy than before. As he took in some deeper breaths his breathing came back to its normal level, and he opened his trunk which was sat in the corner of the bright orange room, carelessly searching through it for any clothes.
Finding some jogging bottoms and a plain white top he began to dress awkwardly, with his left arm hanging uselessly beside him. He sighed frustrated, hearing footsteps on the stairs, as he tried furiously to tug his top over his head.
“Hey Harry, Madam Pomfrey’s here, mum said to come down-” Ginny stopped as she saw him struggling with his shirt, before letting out a laugh as she walked towards him.
Harry stopped struggling as he saw her walk over to him, knowing that the top half of his body was completely on show to her.
“Sorry Ginny, I-” He began, wanting to explain his embarrassment, but she continued to smile as she reached him.
“Hey, I don’t mind.” She said an evil glint in her eyes. She laughed again as she saw the blush creep onto his cheeks as he looked at the floor. “At least you managed to put your trousers on before I arrived, that could’ve been more embarrassing.”
Harry raised his eyes back to hers as they both laughed. As it died away in their throats, she gently took his bandaged arm in one hand, the other moving towards his shoulder. As she reached for the arm hole in the shirt, her fingers brushed against his skin, and where she had touched him seemed to send electricity through his body, blanking his mind completely as he moved closer to her.
Not even thinking about what he was doing, he leant towards her face, kissing her gently on her lips. He closed his eyes as their lips met, and they both held it for longer, her soft lips resting on his own, the taste of her cherry lipstick on his mouth. It was only a small simple kiss, but its meaning was so much more. He drew away slowly, staying close to her, and slowly opened his eyes. He could see that her eyes were still closed as though she was savouring his kiss, and it was not until Harry brought his hand up to her face that they slowly fluttered open.
They just looked into each other’s eyes, exchanging unspoken words. Ginny could see the sadness held in there and the longing too, and a small smile crossed her lips, as she said, “I know.”
Harry smiled back weakly, knowing she had gotten his message. She continued the job she had started, carefully adjusting his bandaged arm, so that he could successfully pull it through the arm sleeve.
The smile did not leave her face as she looked back up to him once more before leaving the room. Harry stood still in the spot where she had found him. He felt weak and stupid. It was he who had made the move too, how could he explain this to Ron if he found out? He was supposed to be controlling his feelings for her, not promoting them. Shaking himself, he headed downstairs, making his way back into the kitchen.
“Ahh, Mr Potter, got yourself into a bit of a mess I’ve heard?” Greeted the matron who stood in the kitchen observing him. “Well take a seat then boy, we’ll get this over nice and quickly.”
Harry did as he was told, smiling at the stern witch as he pulled out a chair. Resting his left arm on the table, she looked at the deep red bandage.
“Right Potter, this is going to feel rather uncomfortable, but the quicker we do it the better.” She said, after she had finished examining the arm. “Molly, if you could help me please?” She asked, turning towards Mrs Weasley who had been watching from the sink.
“Of course Poppy.” She replied, coming to stand next to her.
“Is it done yet?” Came the voice of a rather annoyed Ron. “Charlie’s already here, and Fred and George will be here soon.”
“Ron! Be quiet, we need to concentrate!” Scolded Mrs Weasley, answering her son who was waiting impatiently in the living room with Ginny.
“Right, you ready Molly? As we discussed.” Madam Pomfrey said, as they both held there wands at the ready, pointing it at Harry’s arm.
Just as Harry was about to question just exactly what was going to happen, the two women acted. Mrs Weasley muttered “Diffindo!” and his red cast split down the middle. The moment it was disconnected from Harry, who was feeling rather uncomfortable, Madam Pomfrey aimed her wand flicking it in an upwards motion twice, but before Harry could even begin to gasp as he realised his arm was now completely disconnected inside, Madam Pomfrey again aimed her wand, casting a non-verbal spell.
A loud crack shot through the air like a bullet, and Harry let out a yell of pain, but it was over with as soon as it began, and he began to move his arm up and down, letting out a big sigh of relief. “Thank you.” He said, admiring his newly healed arm.
“That’s alright Mr Potter, now I believe you have some broken ribs as well?” She asked, already preparing her wand for the spell.
At the nod of Harry’s head she said, “Okay, you’ll have to remove your shirt please Potter so I can see the damage.”
Harry obeyed, standing up and easily taking of his top, laughing silently to himself at the thought of his struggles only moments ago.
Taking a look at the bruises residing on his chest, she cast the same spell three times towards his ribcage. Three similar cracks were heard again, but they were not as sharp or as painful as his arm had been, and when she had finished he took in a great breath, pleased that it did not cause him any bother.
“There we are, all sorted.” She said smiling at his obvious relief.
“Thanks” He said, pulling back his shirt on with ease, and heading into the living room to Ron, Ginny and Charlie.
“Thanks so much for coming down Poppy.” Mrs Weasley said smiling a she watched Harry run from the room.
“It was not a problem molly, he always seems to get injured that one, yet he doesn’t want anyone to bother with him.” She laughed in reply.
“I know, it’s the Gryffindor in him.” Molly said proudly, laughing too. “Will you stay for a bite to eat?”
“I’m sorry to decline that offer Molly, but I must be off, but thank you anyway.” She replied, throwing on her travelling cloak that was draped over one of the Weasley’s chairs.
“It’s fine.” Molly replied, smiling at her friend who nodded in goodbye, taking of through the kitchen door.
Molly sighed to herself as she allowed the laughter from the living room to drift into the kitchen. Smiling to herself, she turned back to the sink, relief flooding through her at how happy everything seemed to be. Harry was fine and at the Burrow, her eldest son was soon to be married, all of her children were smiling wherever they were. This was how things were supposed to be, she thought, not even realising that she had begun to wash the dishes by hand as she looked out of the window.
“Wicked.” Ron said, as he landed beside Harry and Ginny, looking just as windswept as them.
“We were just going easy on you.” Said Charlie, who landed opposite them out of breath.
“Whatever.” Said Ron smirking as the twins landed down together glaring at the smug look on Ron’s face.
“Who would’ve thought this lot could actually beat us eh?” Charlie said in amusement at their triumph. “And Ginny, I never knew you were as good as Ron told us!”
“Well you should never underestimate me again.” Ginny said a devilish grin on her face. “so think about that next time you try and insult me.”
“Is that a challenge little sis?” Fred said, a grin wide on his face.
“I believe it was Fred.” Said George, and identical expression on his face.
“I wouldn’t rise to it if I were any of you.” Said Harry seriously, knowing he would not like to be on the receiving end of Ginny’s famous bat-bogey hex.
All three of them raised their eyebrows curiously to Harry, wandering just what damage she could do if Harry seemed more scared of her than he was if Voldemort was mentioned.
“You don’t wanna know.” Ron shivered to his three older brothers.
Both Ginny and Harry laughed at him as the other three Weasley brothers looked on at him anxiously.
“C’mon Harry, let’s have a game of chess.” Ron said as their laughter’s subsided.
“Alright then, but you know you’ll win.” Harry said, following his friend towards the lopsided house.
“True.” Said Ron as he led his friend inside. “You wanna play winner Ginny?”
“No, I’m going to try and finish my book.” She smiled, following them into the kitchen and heading off upstairs.
“I’ll go and get it then.” He said, following his sister upstairs as Harry headed into the living room.
“Hello Mrs Weasley.” He greeted as he saw her plumping a cushion.
“Hello Harry, where is everyone?” She asked him, pointing her wand to the pair of knitting needles where they rose and began to knit in mid-air.
“Ginny’s reading, Ron’s gone to fetch his chess set, and Fred, George and Charlie are putting away the Quidditch stuff, we had a bet that whoever lost had to pack up, and our team won.” He said, smiling to her warmly.
“Well, everyone must be hungry now then! I best start on making some tea!” She said leaving the room just as Ron entered.
“Here we are!” Said Ron, carrying his chess set under his arm. He laid it down in front of them as the pieces began to move into the right places.
“You first then Harry.” Ron said, already concentrating as his eyes faced directly to the board.
Harry looked at the board in front of him, knowing already he was hopeless to win. Hoping that his piece would not suffer Ron’s wrath, he said, “Pawn to G4.”
The piece moved obediently, luckily no cursing came from the piece so it must not be in danger.
Harry waited, knowing Ron would surely take a while before choosing his piece carefully, but what he did not expect was for his friend to start speaking.
“Harry, I wanted to talk to you about something.” Ron began rather awkwardly, his eyes still roaming the board.
“Oh,” Harry said surprised. “What about?”
“Ginny.” Ron said, completely ignoring the game now as he looked to see his friend’s reaction.
“Ron, nothing’s going on, I promise, She’s out of danger, just like I said.” Harry said quickly, wandering nervously if he knew what had happened earlier that day.
“Harry, I don’t want that. You should stay together.” Ron said.
Harry opened his mouth prepared to defend himself, but as Ron’s words swam around a few times in his brain he said, “what?”
Ron laughed at his best friend’s obvious confusion. “You heard me. I want you to be together.”
“But why? She’s in danger and-”
“Snape and Malfoy would’ve already told him about you both.” Ron began, cutting him off. “And Ginny’s upset, you’re upset, I see the way you both are around each other, and I know you would never hurt her Harry, or let her be touched. You deserve to have each other.”
Harry stared at his best friend open mouthed. He tried to think of what to say, but couldn’t from words into his mind.
“Listen, you shuld talk, both of you, and don’t give her no more of that crap telling her she’s in danger, because me and Hermione are in just as much danger, and were even coming with you!”
“We can’t bring her along though Ron! I will not let her-”
“She knows she can’t come Harry.”
“What d’you mean?” Harry asked looking more awkward by the minute.
“We’ve talked…” Ron muttered, looking at the Board again, his pieces yelling at him to hurry up.
Harry didn’t know what to say knowing this must already be awkward enough for his best friend.
Ron relieved him again, as he said, “Just think about it, okay?”
Harry just nodded, the words he had heard before dancing before him. Maybe Ron was right? I mean would it be any different from being her friend? He was here with her now, laughing along with her, surely she was a danger already? To really keep her out of this all was to ask her to hide away. And he couldn’t do that, they were already hidden enough s it was, everything limited to them all because they were so close to Harry.
Though a pang of guilt flooded through him at this thought, he knew that they would all have it no other way. He couldn’t stop them caring about him, and he was lucky to have them all. And Ginny was already by his side, and he knew deep down that they should be together, that she was already a target. Though this thought did not relieve him, it was how things were, and maybe that was the reason why everything Ron had just said to him made complete sense.
Hey everyone! Sorry this chapter is shorter than the others! My word has expired so I’ve had to send this to my nans to submit it there! Got to sort things out for school, but I promise I’ll try and writ more for the next chapter! Sorry if this one’s a bit boring as well, some more exciting stuff coming shortly, I hope:)
Also big thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far! Also check out one of my favourite stories by talltwin18 !!
Write a Review The Seventh Horcrux: A fixed arm and an awkward conversation
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