Harry's Future

Chapter 32

Harry looked back at his wife and saw the look on her face and any further objections evaporated. He smiled back at her and said, 

"Alright, my love, we'll do it your way. Let's look for a builder." 

Ginny's face lit up in a huge smile and she bounced up out of her chair and rushed around to his side of the table. However, instead of her usual ballistic embrace she stopped short and then leaned forward to take Harry's head in her arms and cradle it to her. He covered her hands with his and kissed them. Without letting go she looked up to her mum and said, 

"When are you expecting the others, Mum?" 

"The invitation was for dinner but I'd expect arrivals shortly after lunch. It should be a full house since this will be the first time since Harry's injury that we've tried to get everyone together. Even little Victoire's first birthday was on the quiet side." 

Harry had been looking back at Molly when she said that and she noticed the way his eyes darted away. 

"Harry, dear. Don't feel like that." 

"I know I shouldn't but sometimes I can't help it. I've managed to put a damper on a few holidays," he said a bit morosely. 

Ginny looked to her 'mum' helplessly. Mrs. Weasley walked over to the table with a wooden spoon in one hand and hooked a thumb under Harry's chin and pulled his head up so she could look directly into those bright green eyes. 

"You listen to me, young fellow," she said sternly. "Those few dampened holidays are a small price to pay for all the holidays and regular days that we've been able to enjoy on account of your efforts and sacrifices. So hear me well, if I ever see that look on you face again I will take this spoon and I will redden your backside until you can't sit down, knee or no knee. Am I making myself clear?" she finished. 

"Yes, ma'am," Harry said quietly and then he took the hand away from his chin and kissed the back of it. 

Molly smiled back at him and touched the spoon to the tip of his nose and then returned to the kitchen. Harry and Ginny spent the time until lunch going through the pictures of separate rooms, exterior views and landscaping ideas. Harry was more than a little impressed by the quality and quantity of work the two had put into this. He would have to thank Abagail when she arrived in the early afternoon, her presence being specially requested by him. 

They had a quiet lunch, simple but plentiful, in anticipation of the dinner to follow. Kreacher had spent the morning at the London house putting together several baskets of supplies from their pantry to supplement the Burrow's. Harry had been feeling guilty about the amount of food that he had been consuming but Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had taken great pains to assure him that he was only slightly ahead of what it took to feed the twins when they were home and nowhere near what they had to provide when the whole clan was together. He was already working with Ginny and Fleur on plans to send his parents to the house on the Mediterranean owned by Fleur's aunt and uncle as a way to repay their seemingly limitless kindness. 

The first to arrive for the family gathering were Bill, Fleur and Victoire. The little girl was able to walk with the help of her mother holding a hand and she rapidly, or as rapidly as her little legs would allow, made her way to Harry and sought to climb up on to his lap. He obliged to lift her up and set her carefully on the half lap formed by his good leg. She proceeded to try and hug him like her mother and Bill laughed. 

"I guess you have another angel in the making, Harry," he said smiling fondly at his daughter. 

"I seems I need all I can get," he replied as he held out one arm to hug Fleur as best he could.