Harry Potter and the Brothers of the Wolves

Chapter V: Confessions of a Stolen Heart

So, every day up until the day he was supposed to leave with Ron and Ginny, Harry went with "Mr. MacPherson," and he always ended up, in one way or another, at Mrs. Figg's house.

Most of the days were the same, with meetings for an hour or two and then lounging around with Ginny while pretending to hang out with Ron. Harry introduced the television to the two pure-blooded Weasleys and watched their sheer amusement.

He put on an old re-run of I Love Lucy and settled in between the two of them so he could discreetly put an arm around Ginny while feigning relaxation.

This thought reminded Harry that he had to tell Ron, Hermione, and probably a few of the people here so that he could really be with her at all times and not just in the dead of night.

"Er - Ron?" Harry asked. Ron didn't respond as his eyes were glued to the screen. Harry had to get up and block his view before he got anything.

"Yes, Harry, what would you like?" he said in an agitated voice, trying to peer around his side the whole time.

"Ron I need you to calm down and focus for a minute, all right?"

Ron stopped attempting to glimpse the screen and looked Harry in the eyes, much calmer than moments before.

Harry motioned for Ginny to stand up and he put an arm around her waist, giving her a quick embrace. Harry looked to Ron for a reaction but was startled to see him staring blankly at the two of them.

"Are-are you shocked?" Harry asked. Wasn't he supposed to be angry, upset, distraught that his best friend had finally noticed his little sister? The plain fact was that Harry thought that HE looked more surprised than Ron did.

"Oh, I know this would have only been a matter of time. Ginny here has grown up a lot lately and you were bound to notice." He stood and put a hand on both Harry and Ginny's shoulders. "I give you permission to date my little sister, Harry. And I give you my permission to date my best friend, Ginny." He grinned happily at the couple.

Harry was so overjoyed that he swooped Ginny into his arms and kissed her soundly. He turned to Ron and thanked him from the bottom of his heart.

"Oh, Ron, could I ask you another favor?"

Ron glanced towards Harry, having turned back to the screen for a moment. "Yea, sure, what do you need?"

"Just break it to Hermione and the rest of the people here. Those are the only people that need to know about this until we get to the Burrow." Ron nodded dumbly as he turned back once again halfway through Harrys request which was good enough for Harry.

Harry laced his fingers through Ginnys and walked into the surprisingly spacious garden in the backyard (magically enhanced, he supposed). Next to a tall oak tree, they sat as one and talked till the sun set. If Harry could have had his way, he would stay out here with Ginny till the end of their days, and he would follow her from there. Harry was truly falling in love with her...

*    *    *

The morning that Harry was supposed to go to the Burrow, he woke up grinning like a maniac. Back to the wizarding world, away from the Dursleys. They hadn't been half bad, assuming that he had seen them few and far between. When he slept over at Mrs. Figg's, which was usually the occasion, he would lie and say that he was at one of the 'lads' houses and had just passed out. the Dursleys were perfectly friendly if you never talked with them, which seemed the case now.

Harry packed his things and got into black pants, black shirt and ordinary black Muggle boots. Completely simple yet surprisingly attractive. Harry glanced at the calendar and almost fell over in shock. It was his birthday! Harry was now officially fifteen years old.

With this, he semi-skipped down the stairs and out onto the sidewalk. Hedwig's cage in hand and trunk laying next to him, Harry waited until (finally!) the beaten down van once again rolled up. He waved his farewells to the empty house, since the Dursleys had left for Majorca the week before.

He hopped in to find Remus, Ron, Hermione and Ginny. They all seemed to have nothing with them.

Seeing his puzzled look, Ron explained. "We Flooed our things to the Burrow a few hours ago."

They headed a few blocks away to a deserted street without a soul in view. Remus got out first, looked around cautiously, and then raised his wand hand out.

With a deafening BANG, the Knight Bus appeared, skidding to a halt right in front of the five people standing on the curb.

It was exactly the same as Harry remembered it from his third year when he was on the run after inflating his Aunt Marge. The same shade of purple, the identical three-decker design.

Harry jumped up the steps first and smiled to see Stan Shunpike and Ernie Prang still on the crew.

"'Ey, Ern! It's Neville!" Stan jumped up and grasped Harry's hand. He winked to Harry and ushered them up the stairs to some open seats. "Don' worry 'Arry, this trip's on us. Where you 'eaded today?"

"Thanks, Stan. We're going to Ottery St. Catchpole." Stan waved as he descended back down to the first level.

In no time at all, they were all stepping off the bus near the Weasleys home. Standing there waiting for them were Moody and a great shaggy dog. With a BANG, the Knight Bus was off again.

"Hey, Snuffles," Harry said as the Grim-like dog came up and licked his hand.

They headed off to a secluded lane and walked down to the Burrow. As Harry looked up, he was reminded of the first time he came here.... It still appeared like it would fall at any minute and Harry hesitated for only a moment before finally stepping inside.

Harry gasped in surprise.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HARRY!"