A Perfect Birthday

The next week for Harry was filled with early morning walks to the swings, lunch with either Tonks, Lupin, or Emma, and then several hours in the library; either searching for more information on the silver box from his dreams or new defensive spells that Lupin or Moody had told him about. Harry’s goal in keeping busy was that he hoped to not have a free minute to think about the prophesy or Sirius, and from what he had seen so far it seemed to be working.
Each night he would crash into his bed truly exhausted, and instead of the previously upsetting or infuriating dreams he was now constantly experiencing the same one. He was still up on the green hill next to the red haired girl and the picnic basket. And while he still couldn’t make out the girls face he noticed that slowly but surely the dream was becoming sharper, more defined. It wasn’t really blurry anymore but still things were a bit indistinct. The horizon seemed to become crisper, and the sounds and smells around him were stronger. Nothing would happen in the dream, and that was fine with him. He’d just sit on the soft blanket and stare up at the sky or off in the distance, sometimes he would munch on the food he found in the basket. He never really tried to make out whom the girl was; something told him that he would know soon enough. This was his sanctuary from reality, and never in his life had he woken up so peacefully and well rested.
Harry had read a little on the topic of dreams and knew enough to recognize that these weren’t normal dreams, they were too real. “Usually”, as the book’s author stated, “you would be able to see something that would tell you were in a dream, for example the fact that your brother’s face was replaced with a chamber pot. There lies deep symbolism in everything.” While Harry didn’t believe everything the book stated he knew that there was something more to these dreams. He could feel the grass on his legs and hands, and when he ate a strawberry he could actually taste it. He couldn’t make heads or tales of this but he was happy that at least this dream didn’t involve long winding hallways or an endless procession of friends and family falling through the veil in the Department of Mysteries. In fact, Harry couldn’t recall a time when he had actually been excited about a dream.
Along with Ginny’s now almost daily correspondence, Harry had received a few letters from both Ron and Hermione telling him about the different things that were going on in the wizarding world. Along with the letters came the occasional overheard conversation at headquarters, and from that Harry started to piece together what was going on in Wizarding England.
For the most part, and this was the unsettling thing, was that neither Hermione nor Ron had heard anything about Voldemort or the Death Eaters in the past few weeks. The Dark Lord’s army had gone to ground after the attack on Privet Drive. At lunch one day Lupin told Harry why they had seemingly disappeared. “Tom has decided to wait until the moment is perfect, only then will he show us the true extent of his growing power.” This sentence seemed to sum up all of the Order’s thoughts; they were now at a constant state of readiness. Headquarters was at all times now occupied with two members to ensure a prompt response from any call.
The only thing that was remotely related to Voldemort’s return was something Ron had sent him. He talked about how Fudge was trying to salvage his career by randomly searching houses and arresting suspected ‘threats’. Although the ministry Aurors had apparently arrested over fifty people, not a single one of them had been actually declared a Death Eater.
From what Harry could tell Fudge was, politically, on his deathbed. His reputation had taken quite a hit after Voldemort waltzed right into the Ministry itself, especially after he’d repeatedly stated that Voldemort was all just a figment of Harry’s imagination. Fudge’s career was poised to topple and Harry would have no ill feelings if it were himself who gave the last shove.

Before Harry knew it, it was July 30th, the day before his birthday. He hadn’t even remembered about it until Errol and Pig came flying in together carrying a very large box filled not only with a chocolate cake from Mrs. Weasley, but a smaller box of sweets from Fred and George. He set the sweets aside and reminded himself only to feed them to Dudley.
He also received individual packages from Hermione, Ron, Hagrid, and Ginny. Everyone sent him either large amounts of sweets and cakes, or books on defensive, or white magic. Ginny had sent him a small leather bound book, which held, when he opened it, pictures of Harry with Ron, Hermione, the Weasley’s, Lupin, the Order, and to Harry’s anguish a small picture of him and Sirius grinning stupidly at the camera during Christmas break.
Harry’s heart ached as he recalled the best Christmas of his life, when he was with everyone at Grimmauld Place, and there wasn’t a prophecy to worry about.
He turned over to the last page of the book to find a short letter to him from Ginny.

Harry,
I remember you showing me the photo album Hagrid made you of your parents, I noticed that there weren’t many of your friends or your new family, so I decided to make you another. I asked Colin to owl me a bunch of really good photos and I sorted through them and found the best ones. I hope that you think this is a good present; I wasn’t really sure what to get you, seeing as you sure as hell don’t need anymore defence books or broom stuff. You can send it back if you don’t like it.
Happy Birthday
Ginny

Harry was touched that Ginny cared enough about him to go through all this trouble just for a birthday present. The photos in the small book brought a smile to his face, he especially liked the on of all the Weasley’s, and all of the Order on Christmas last year. They looked up at Harry and waved happily, as if there wasn’t a war going on when this was taken.
Harry then reeled when he remember a similar picture that Moody had shown him that same Christmas. In it were all the members of the old Order of the Phoenix. Harry looked down once again and closed his eyes, praying that unlike the other photo all of these people would still be alive in a few years.
For the rest of the day Harry played with Emma, showing her the photo album, and bringing over some of the tamer prank candy that Fred and George had created.

That night at Headquarters Tonks, Lupin, Joy, and Emma threw a small party for him. Everyone had a great time with all the food that Joy and Tonks had made, and the party lasted well into the night finally ending with a cake that Emma had baked a cake all by herself. It was slightly tilted and at various places the icing was scraped off with a finger for earlier taste tests. She carried it out while singing happy birthday to him, and told him to make a wish and blow out all the candles.
I wish this war could be over, and I wish that I could have a family. Harry thought with his eyes squeezed together, and then blew hard at the candles. Emma took the one that went out last and handed it to Harry.
“When you go to bed tonight take this candle and put it under your pillow. If you do it will make your wish come true!” The little girl said, thrusting the candle into his hands as he was walking out the front door.
“Okay Em, that’ll be the best present ever.”
As everyone was getting a piece of cake Lupin ducked out for a moment to grab his present for Harry.
“Okay well before we all head home I have to give Harry his present.” Lupin said coming back into the room a little later. “Yes Harry I did get you a present, you didn’t think that I forgot did you? Before I give it to you first let me say how proud we all are of you and how amazingly you have handled everything that’s been thrown your way. I was instructed by Molly to tell you that she and Arthur are both so proud of you and consider you to be family. I know that it’s a shame they couldn’t make it, but transit to and from anywhere at this moment is extremely dangerous for such a large group of people. With a little luck however this will be the last time you’ll have a birthday without all your friends and family.”
Harry gave Lupin a huge hug, “you guys are family and this has been a brilliant birthday. I know I don’t have much to gauge it by but I really have had a perfect time today.”
“Well hopefully this will make it even better.” Lupin said pulling a folder out from behind his back, “do you remember our conversation about a week ago Harry? Well after I left I visited the Headmaster and we spent several hours trying to find a loophole in the lycanthropy clause of the guardian laws. Thankfully Delorous is not too bright and we managed to find one that served our purpose perfectly.” Lupin paused once again, the excitement in his eyes being reflected in Harry’s own, “anyhow. In this folder are the official stamped documents that officially and legally make me your guardian. I would have had them earlier but the bureaucratic idiots at the Ministry…”
Harry cut the werewolf’s sentence short when he jumped up to hug him. After a long time Harry let go of his new guardian, beaming. “I cannot tell you how much this means to me Moony. You’ve given me a family again.”
“Same here Harry, I haven’t had a family since I was bitten when I was twelve. I promise you I’ll do my best to make up for lost time.” Lupin was teary eyed. He had been so excited when he and the Headmaster had finally discovered the work around in the law to allow him to become his guardian, and could barely hold himself together when he’d received the papers earlier today.
“The one bummer is that now I can get grounded if I sneak out to Hogsmeade.” Harry said jokingly as everyone else was hugging them.
A little while later a yawning Emma and Joy said goodbye to everyone as they headed back across the street to their home.
As Harry helped Tonks and Lupin clean the dishes they talked happily about anything and everything that came to mind. Finally, at nearly midnight, they decided to go to bed.
“Thanks for everything Moony, really. You’ve given me the best present I could hope for.” Harry hugged him once again and headed for his room, still smiling from the happiest birthday he’d ever had.

That night Harry’s dream once again returned, it started with usual. He was sitting on the blanket next to the girl and the picnic basket. As he nibbled on a piece of cheese he heard a laugh come from the girl. It was an intoxicating melody that filled his heart with happiness and hope. He turned to look at the girl who now was almost completely visible; it was just her face that was obscured. Something tugged in his subconscious, he knew who this was, yet he just couldn’t place it. For some reason he knew that tonight he would find out who it was, and while he was excited to finally discover who this girl was he was equally nervous.
For the first time in the dream the girl looked over at him. The girl leaned forward as if to kiss him, Harry tried to focus his eyes but all they could make out now was a blur of red. She was now just an inch away from his face and slowly getting closer. Her hair smelled like strawberries and he could feel the warmth coming from her cheeks. He’d never so much as seen her face yet here he was about to kiss her. He felt as is he should stop but his face kept getting closer and closer. Finally after what seemed to be an eternity his lips connected with hers.
That exact moment everything became crystal clear, he looked up and saw her brown eyes and red hair and he pulled back in shock. At the same time he was pulling back he woke sitting straight up with a rather heavy weight on his legs. He heard a muffled gasp of surprise as he fumbled to get his glasses on the table. His feet were tangled in the bed cover and the weight on top of him wasn’t helping matters, it was right on his stomach and also seemed to be moving. He twisted his legs in attempt to pull off the blanket, which only made things worse as he fell half way out of the bed onto the floor.
He finally managed to grab his glasses, but in the process knocked over the lamp, which promptly shattered on the floor. As he finally gave up trying to extricate himself from the mess he rubbed his head on where he’d hit it. Whoever was on top of him moved off his legs, and kneeled down in front of him.
He gasped in surprise, and so did the girl as she sat there stunned. It was Ginny Weasley, sitting next to the bed in her pyjamas, her hair was loose and her face reflected the utter shock that Harry’s did.
“Harry!” She managed to stutter out finally after staring at him for several moments.
“Uh, hi Ginny,” He said awkwardly, not exactly sure what was going on.
“No offence Harry but what the bloody hell is going on?” Ginny asked.
“I have no idea, one minute I was asleep and the next minute I was trapped in my own blankets.” Harry stood up and helped Ginny to her feet. A moment later he realized he was wearing just his briefs in front of a girl and desperately grabbed for the blanket on the floor to cover himself with. It would have worked if Ginny hadn’t been standing on the blanket when he pulled. Ginny, for the second time in so many minutes fell to the floor. Harry dropped the blanket in horror and dropped down to see if she was okay. “Blimey Ginny, are you alright. I’m sorry I should’ve seen that you were on the blanket, are you crying?” Harry stopped as he heard a noise coming from Ginny.
As she lifted her head he noticed she wasn’t crying but laughing. “Harry I’m perfectly alright, maybe we should just stay on the floor for right now, it doesn’t seem like either of us can stand. And don’t worry, you’re forgetting I’ve lived with five brothers my whole life, honestly I’m more surprised when I see Fred and George dressed than in their briefs.” She then looked down at what she was wearing and blushed, it was an old night gown that, like many of her clothes, were second hand. She pulled the blanket up a little closer not out of embarrassment but shame.
Harry was about to ask her if she knew what was going on but stopped, his dream now coming back with amazing clarity. He turned to face Ginny. “What was your dream about Gin?”
Her stomach flipped a little at Harry calling her Gin, she wouldn’t let anyone else call her that but for some reason she liked it when Harry called her that. “Well I was dreaming about a picnic with a boy, except I couldn’t figure out who he was, but right before I woke up I figured out it was…” She stopped too, her dream coming back, she stared at Harry in realization “… It was you.”
That was the same dream that I had, except I couldn’t see the girl, but at the end we were about to kiss I saw her, and it was, you” Harry just stared at the girl lying on the floor across from him, at any other time before this he would have been shocked at his thoughts that he could possibly like Ginny, but right now there was something different. She was beautiful, not like Parvati or any of the other girls who tried so hard to win the boy’s affection. Ginny didn’t have any makeup on, and was wearing an old nightgown, but to him she was a close to perfect as possible.
At that moment the sound of footsteps came to Harry’s door and a second later the door swung open. Lupin strode into view with his wand drawn, scanning the whole room for the source of the noise. “Harry! Harry where are you?” He said as he moved cautiously through the room.
“Over here Moony,” Harry said as he leaned against the wall next to a smiling Ginny.
“What’s going on Harry, all your wards were tripped every single one. There are still alarms going off at headquarters. We thought that someone had broken through…” Lupin stopped as his eyes landed on Ginny, she smiled and waved feebly.
“Er…hello Professor,” she said in an embarrassed voice.
“What is going on, how did you get here Ginny?” Remus turned a suspicious eye at Harry then back to Ginny just in her pyjamas.
“Not me,” Harry said throwing his hands up in innocence, “we were wondering the exact the same thing.”
“One second I was in my own bed at the burrow dreaming and the next I was sitting on top of Harry.” She said exasperatedly, leaving out the part about kissing him to herself.
Lupin just shook his head in amusement and started to chuckle. “I’m sure your mother will be just ecstatic when she hears the news.” He then turned to Harry, “you take after James, Harry, redheads.”
“Ecstatic about what?” Ginny asked nervously, she still wasn’t entirely awake from her little trip.
He sat down on the edge of the bed, in front of the two very tired and confused teenagers, and then looked up and smiled at them, “Well, I don’t know much about it, but Dumbledore warned us it could happen.”
Harry felt a fleeting moment of frustration that the headmaster had once again told others about something he should know, but then he looked back over at Ginny and once again he felt completely at peace.
Ginny caught Harry’s eye and smiled, “what did he warn you about?” she asked.
“As I said I don’t really know all about it, I just know that it’s really powerful. Dumbledore told us that as you grew older it was possible that something along these lines would occur.” He stopped for a moment, smiling once again at the looks of confusion on their faces. “It’s only occurred twice in recorded history. Once with Merlin and Gwendoloena, that’s his wife, and Godric Gryffindor and Rowena Ravenclaw, both times when the wizarding world was in a state of utter turmoil. It not only helped them win their battles, it made them stronger, both mentally and physically.” He stopped once again letting it set in, too much information at once was always a bad thing.
“Well, what is it?” Harry asked nervous that it might be another prophesy.
Remus looked at them once again, Ginny was leaning next to Harry, looking at him with utter devotion. Albus was right as usual. They don’t see it but everyone else does, Molly knew ever since the Chamber of Secrets. I bet you’re ecstatic right now Prongs, he’s following in your footsteps. “Well,” Lupin started, slipping out of his own thoughts, “it’s been called many things, in Latin it’s Cordis Catena, in Greek it’s called the Everlasting Flame, but to most it is the Heartbond.”

The two teens just stared at Lupin dumbly. He sighed, rubbing his temples as he tried to think of another way to explain it. I’m not an expert at this, what I’ve told them is everything I know about it right now. They deserve to know what’s going on if what Dumbledore said is true about the bond. Lupin thought over it for a second then came to his conclusion. “Ok, here’s what I’m going to do because you deserve to know about what is going on. I’m going to floo to Hogwarts very quickly and see if Dumbledore can come over here and explain it. I really am not the one you want to be asking about this whole thing, and there are a lot of details that I’m sure only he knows of.”
“Do you promise that he will tell us everything? From what I’ve been hearing from Harry the headmaster seems to be keeping us in the dark on a lot of things.”
Harry smiled at the determination of Ginny. Even in these rather odd circumstances she was ready to stand up for Harry.
“It’s okay Gin, it’d be nice for him to come here and tell us what is going on. I mean Lupin you said that he knew that this could happen for a long time, so I’m sure he’s had plenty of time to research it.” The malice in his voice seemed to drop the temperature of the bedroom just a little.
Lupin just shook his head, he didn’t know exactly what had passed between Harry and Dumbledore after the Department of Mysteries, but it had made a profound effect on the boy’s trust of the headmaster. He’d thought that Dumbledore treated Harry like his own son; it wasn’t a secret at Hogwarts that Dumbledore adored the boy. It shook him to know that a riff had grown between the two; in times like these you had to rely on everyone you could or else you might not survive.
“Well Harry I can’t promise anything, but I’ll leave right now and try to get him to come here and explain things to you two.” He smiled softly, patted Harry on the shoulder and made for the door.
“Wait, Lupin!” Harry started as he was heading out of his room. “What about the wards, you said that someone broke through them, are you sure they’re still there?”
Lupin laughed softly, “Yes I’m quite sure, I looked over them already. The alarms were tripped so I’m certain that over the next few minutes there will be several Order members showing up. Still it wouldn’t hurt to have the Headmaster look over them for safety’s sake. Now if I can’t get the headmaster to come I’ll be back shortly, meanwhile, you two don’t get into any trouble.” He winked, and then strode out of the room and down the stairs.
Harry turned to Ginny, and smiled foolishly. “So, ummm… how has you’re summer been so far?”
Ginny just laughed, “It’s been okay, you know that though silly, remember how you’ve been writing me for the past month and a half?”
“Oh yeah, right.” He stuttered embarrassingly, “about that, thank you.” Ginny was about to speak up, but he cut her off, “No really I mean it, I know you didn’t have to do it, but you really helped me through a tough time, I just feel comfortable talking to you.”
Ginny now had tears in her eyes, she hadn’t seen Harry for over a month, but it felt as if they had become unbelievably close. For the past few weeks she’d felt her old feelings for Harry rekindle as she wrote to him more, she was always cautious that he might not like her like that, but at that moment she finally let her restraint go, finally going through with what she had wanted to for so long. She was going to say something, try to explain her actions, but words failed her.
Instead Ginny just leaned towards Harry, closing her eyes. Harry was about to say something, but she just leaned closer until she could look right into his emerald green eyes, they seemed to sparkle with an intensity the belied his age. They closed the last millimetres together, and finally kissed him. It was not passionate, not lustful, but filled with immense loving.
Harry was somewhat surprised but overjoyed at the same time. He too had felt the draw and had begun to get closer to Ginny as he spoke. He thought he knew what love was like when he and Cho were first going out, but he threw that notion out the window when he looked into her eyes just centimetres away from his own. Something told him Ginny was always going to be there for him.
The kiss lasted for what could have been a second, or an hour. Both of them savouring the moment for as long as they could, both drawing strength from the other. They both had wounds that needed to heal from over the past years. Harry had never had anyone to really and truly love him, and now that he did his entire body seemed to relax. The worry of the prophecy, the war, the box, as well as the death of Sirius slipped from his mind for the first time in a very long while. Neither of them went further than the kiss, but both of them seemed to know that this would not be the last time they would be together, and that was to the immense happiness of both of them.
Their kiss was broken abruptly by the noise of someone knocking on the door frame. In the doorway stood Dumbledore smiling amusedly. Harry was so shocked he jumped back from Ginny as if she were on fire, tripped on the blanket that had slipped from his waist onto the floor, and fell back onto the floor. Ginny too jumped at the sudden interruption of their first kiss, but managed to stay upright although she did need to lean on the foot board of the bed for support.
Dumbledore just looked at the two teens and chuckled, “I am sorry to interrupt you two, but Remus has told me that there may have been a new development.”
Harry groaned as he rubbed his head from the fall, and then noticed he was standing in just his boxers front of the headmaster, and struggled to cover himself up once again. Ginny flushed red, feeling as if the headmaster knew what she and Harry had been doing a second before he appeared.
“If you call Ginny suddenly appearing on top of me in my sleep a ‘new development’ then yes, I think you are right in saying so.” Harry said as he slumped onto the bed next to Ginny.
Dumbledore chuckled as he conjured a leather chair for him to sit in, and three cups of tea for them to drink. “Well from what Remus told me you already know the basics of the bond, and he got me in hopes of telling you the intricacies, which I dare say are many.” Dumbledore took a sip of the tea and settled himself in the chair as if it were completely normal to be having a conversation in a bedroom at three in the morning. “You already know that both Merlin and Godric Gryffindor possessed the same power and how it helped them. Do you know anything about the bond itself?”
“Well Lupin said something about it being a bond and that it would make us stronger and help us win our battles, hopefully we won’t have to have any more however, one fight with Tom is enough for me.” Ginny said, unconsciously grabbing hold of Harry’s hand as they sat there on the bed.
Harry smiled at the small sign of affection but shifted uncomfortably at the mention of battles. He looked at Ginny and then at the Headmaster who seemed to know what he was asking even before he voiced it.
The headmaster seemed to understand his predicament. “Harry, while it is your choice in the end, I would be willing to tell her for you.”
Ginny looked inquisitively at Harry, raising her eyebrow. “Thank you headmaster, but I think I’ll wait until after you tell us about this Heartbond.”
“Very well,” Dumbledore resituated himself in his chair and began again, “now what I am going to tell you is all from my research, there hasn’t been a book or scroll written on the Heartbond, just myths, fables. The Heartbond was first seen in action when it linked Gwendoloena to Merlin, during his battle with Morgana. It is said that because this bond was forged from pure love, something that Morgana did not have an ounce of in her blood, it gave Merlin an immense power, something that actually allowed him to vanquish the dark witch. In Godric Gryffindor’s case, he was bonded with another one of the other founders of Hogwarts, Rowena Ravenclaw. Again it is said that because of the bond Godric was able to defeat the dark wizard of their time Hlothere.
It would now appear that you two have been bonded, and I need not tell you who it is in hopes of defeating. If my research is correct, which I am afraid to say it might not be, you two will begin to start growing exceedingly fast, both physically and magically. According to some ancient texts Merlin and Godric both ended up being the most powerful wizards of their times because of this bond not the other way around. The witches they were bonded to also were strengthened immensely. These next few months should be fairly interesting for you both when it comes to performing magic. The most important thing will be to remember to keep your magic in check as you go through this growth spurt; you will regain control of it as it slows but for a while you will most likely see more and more incidents of accidental magic.” Once again Albus stopped to give the two teens a minute to catch up, he knew that this was a very large thing to be happening to them, especially at such a young age; but he also knew that it would be the only way to have a chance to win the upcoming war.
“ I know that most of this information is very general, but unfortunately that is all I have managed to find, I can assure you that I will be here to help you both along the way with any unexpected occurrences. Now there is a bit of a snag that we will have to deal with right now instead of at a later time. Now that you two are bonded you will have to stay in relatively close distance to each other in order for you to grow. While I do not know the full extent of that requirement I am quite sure that it will require one of you to stay with the other for the rest of the summer and the school year.” Harry and Ginny shared surprised but excited looks. “Now I do know that this part is true because of your little outing tonight Miss Weasley. The moment Harry turned 16 the bond seemed to go into full power, thus increasing your apparent need for Miss Weasley here. The bond is very strong indeed. It managed to break through my wards, which, excuse my hubris, is quite a feat. Now I know that your mother will not be too pleased with this small turn of events, but it seems to be the only way of maintaining the necessary proximity you two must be in.” The headmaster said.
It was completely quiet for a moment until Ginny spoke up. “Excuse me sir, but does this mean that Harry and I were always destined for each other?” Ginny asked, staring at Harry with affection who was wearing a similar expression.
“Well I wasn’t positive until now, but ever since the Chamber of Secrets, when Harry here rescued you, literally sacrificing his own life to save yours, I felt that there may be something deeper. Love like that cannot be easily created, just like your love for Ron, Hermione, and now the young Miss Massey. Each of these are strong, but now that your love is strengthened by the bond you have an even a greater chance. Do you recall what I showed you in my office, ‘he will have power the Dark Lord knows not…” You may have just found it Harry.” Dumbledore said, with a soft smile, his eyes twinkling with a glimmer of hope.
“What is he talking about Harry?” Ginny whispered softly to Harry.
“Professor, is that all you know of the Heartbond?” Harry asked.
“Yes, that is all I have gathered. I know that there is an immense amount of new feelings right now, some that many people do not feel until they are much older, but they will make you stronger. I suggest that you do not try to leap into a relationship but allow it to progress as naturally as circumstances allow. I feel there may be many surprises this next year.” The Headmaster said, already knowing what Harry was going to ask of him.
“Would it be okay to show Ginny now, I mean if what you said is true that she really is part of me now,” part of him was ready to tell another person of the prophecy, but another part didn’t want to frighten the girl he loved with thoughts of him dying and Voldemort winning, but he knew she had to see it if she was to help.
“I think it is a wise idea Harry, once again I would like to tell you how sorry I am that I withheld it from you for so long, it was not my place to do so. If you wish I could see it being a good idea to tell Ron and Hermione when you get a chance, they are your family Harry and they should have the full story.”
Harry nodded, he knew that he would have to tell his friends soon, but the thought of them leaving him frightened him to no end. He would have to face that problem when he reached it, right now he looked over at Ginny. She looked over at him apprehensively but then caught his eyes and smiled ever so slightly and squeezed his hand gently. Harry’s nerves were settled, he knew that she would stand by him through thick and thin, just like at the Department of Mysteries.
“Would you like me to do it?” Dumbledore asked, pulling his wand out of his robes.
Harry just nodded as he squeezed Ginny’s hand back and looked back to the professor.
“Very well, vocamusin crantantem!” Immediately a small figure of professor Trelawney appeared on the floor of Harry’s bedroom. It began to talk in the harsh voice that was such a huge variance from her usual ethereal one.

`The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies … and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not … and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives … the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies …'

The last syllables echoed off the walls, and the image flickered away. The room was left completely silent save Ginny’s quite sobs.
Harry grabbed her in his arms and held her closely, not wanting her to cry anymore, not wanting anything to happen to her. He had never felt so protective of anything in his life, he was willing to do anything to stop her from crying.
“Is that what the prophecy said? The one that was crushed?” She said between gasps.
“Yes, and no one but you, I, and the headmaster know about it. You need to keep it a secret, you can’t even tell your brother or Hermione yet. I will when I get the chance.” Harry said quietly, as he brushed her hair behind her ear. He was surprised at how natural comforting Ginny came to him unlike trying to stop Cho from crying that one dreadful day in the Room of Requirement.
“And you have to kill him? Or else he’ll kill you?” She said holding back her tears.
Harry nodded softly in approbation.
“I’ll help you Harry, I’ll help you kill him if it’s the last thing I do.”

Dumbledore smiled at the compassion the young girl showed for Harry. It’s just the thing he needs right now, love. He’s lost so much to this war, probably the most out of everyone, and he needs something to focus his mind and allow him to get through the next years of his life unscathed.
After taking a moment to compose herself, Ginny looked up at the headmaster with an expression of determination. “What can we do to stop him?”
“Alas, I do not know. I have studied that very problem for over a decade now and I still cannot find a way to defeat Voldemort. It would appear that whatever steps he has taken to protect himself have so far worked; him coming back from the horribly twisted state he was in is proof enough. Whatever it is that will be able to destroy Tom is hidden inside Harry. All we can do is support him as much as possible.”
Harry grimaced as he once again was reminded of how he was no longer just a person, but a weapon. Ginny noticed this reaction too and grabbed one of his hands firmly as she stared into his eyes. “Harry James Potter, you better listen to me, you aren’t only good for killing this lunatic, you need to stay alive. There are people who care about you, like my mum and dad, and my brother, and Hermione….and me.” She said the last part softly, almost whispering it.
Harry closed his eyes, fighting off tears, trying not to lose it in front of his headmaster. After giving himself a moment to compose himself he raised his bloodshot eyes to Dumbledore. “Sir, you know how you said that Ginny and I are going to have to stay close together, how are we going to do that?”
“Ah, yes I can see the problem. Well, while I’m not quite sure you mother will be happy with this. As of right now, unless you have any objections Miss Weasley, I have already sent Lupin to the Burrow to explain things with your parents. We’ve arranged for you to stay here at headquarters.” Dumbledore’s smile broadened as the tired teenager’s faces lit up with excitement.
“That’s bloody brilliant!” Harry shouted, completely forgetting his current company momentarily, “Oops, er… sorry headmaster, just got a little excited.” Harry said apologetically.
“What did you say, you’ll have to speak up, I don’t have the best hearing you know.” He said smiling absently at the bookshelf.
“Uh, sir, what about clothes and beds and stuff. I mean this bedroom already small as it is. We probably couldn’t fit much more than a house elf right now.”
At that Dumbledore stood up and vanished his recliner. “I actually have a solution for that problem too. Remus and Nymphadora have been working on it as a surprise for you for several weeks now and thankfully they just have to put the finishing touches on it.
I’m not sure if you know this but after Sirius’ death his will stipulated that his estate be given to Remus and a relatively large portion of the vaults. You too received a rather large increase in your gold; enough to actually warrant another vault. Anyhow, ever since he came into possession of the house he’s been redecorating the master bedroom for you, I know you’ve seen it last year but I must say it is looking much better these days. Tomorrow we can move you and Miss Weasley’s belongings into the room. For tonight however I believe that it will just be easier to stay here.”
The headmaster pulled out his wand and conjured another small cot with blankets on it next to Harry’s.
“That is for your mother’s comfort Miss Weasley. We will discuss sleeping arrangements at another time.” The headmaster said chuckling at the blushing teenagers. Dumbledore pulled out a pocket watch and checked the time, “it would seem that it almost is morning. Well I do need at least two hours of sleep a night and I think that you two could do with some also. I will have your mother pack some things for you tomorrow Miss Weasley so you can at least freshen up in the morning. If you have any further quandaries concerning this new bond, feel free to owl or floo me anytime. I know that this is a lot to take in at one time, but I hope that we might be able to work through this together. You both have amazing talent, and now an immense treasure, something very few are given. Treasure these moments of peace and quiet because I am afraid that they soon may not come as often as we wish. I hope to see you both soon again. Good morning.” With that the old headmaster tipped his head and closed the door on the couple.
Ginny turned towards Harry and grinned. “I think we should try and get a little sleep tonight, don’t you?”
Harry smiled and stood up, no longer embarrassed about his lack of clothing. “Which one do you want?”
Ginny took the new cot, and Harry rearranged his sheets into a somewhat normal state and slipped into bed. Harry looked over at Ginny who smiled at him then turned the light out. In the dark Harry thought over everything that had happened that night, just hours after his birthday. That moment he thought of something and reached under his pillow to retrieve the small candle. “Well Emma I guess you were right, my wish did come true,” he whispered then looked over to where Ginny would be. “Ginny are you awake?”
Ginny sat up a little bit, “yeah, it’s a little heard to get to bed right now.”
“I know I already said this, but thank you. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. There were points when I don’t think I could have made it without you, and knowing that you’re here with me makes me think that I might actually have a fighting chance.”
“Thank you Harry for everything you’ve given me. You sacrificed your life for me, and you’ve given me a reason to fight with you. I know we can do it Harry, just you wait.” As both of them faded into a deep sleep their dreams of the usual picnic returned, now seeing each other instead of a blur. The moment they kissed again however Harry woke up to find himself on top of Ginny’s bed kissing her in real life. Ginny’s eyes sprung open wide in shock. Harry pulled away immediately, falling completely off the bed in surprise.
“Not again!” He said as he rubbed his head for the second time that night.
“Looks like this Heartbond is stronger than we thought it was, seems like we have to be in the same bed for it to be happy.” Ginny said groggily, pulling her covers down and motioning for Harry to get in.
‘What, I can’t sleep in the same bed as you, think what your brother will do.” Harry said, scooting away from the bed in mock horror.
“Listen, I know you won’t do anything, and I won’t tell my brother, but I am tired and you look like it too. Now if you want to get some sleep get over here, if you want to keep hitting your head on the floor do feel free to go to your own bed,” She said huffily.
It didn’t take Harry long to realize what he was actually arguing about and crawled into Ginny’s bed, trying to settle himself as far away from her as possible. But she seemed opposed to the idea and rested her head on his shoulder.
“Night Harry,” she whispered as she closed her eyes.
“Good night Gin’,” Harry closed his eyes too and drifted off to sleep.