“It really was a beautiful ceremony,” said an emotional Mrs. Weasley to her son and new daughter-in-law. They had listened to the speeches, eaten the food, and had been taken outside into a large marquee that had been set up as a dimly lit dance floor.
“I think the newlyweds should grace us with the first dance,” Mr. Weasley’s voice echoed from the stage as he held his wand to his throat. Bill and Fleur obliged instantly as the band began a slow song. They revolved slowly, swaying and noses pressed together, wearing huge smiles. Somehow, Harry had expected the day to be more dramatic, but it was nice. There was something very warming about it.
When the last note was played, Bill leapt onto the stage.
“On request of my new wife, everyone has to join us for the next dance, and she means everyone. Anybody who doesn’t, we will hand pick you a partner and force you to dance at wand point.” A nervous laughter erupted in the crowd of people as, once again, the band struck a slow song. Before Harry even had a chance to move, Gabrielle Delacour had stepped in front of him.
“You will dance wiz me,” she ordered and pulled him onto the dance floor. Ron and Hermione cast him odd looks as they too stepped onto the floor. He knew what they were thinking, it was exactly what he was thinking.
“You ‘ave strong arms, I think,” she said, steering him in a circle.
“Er-great,” Harry said, craning his neck over the crowd. Ginny stood alone at the edge throwing nervous glances at an old man making his way towards her.
“Listen, Gabrielle.”
“What eez it, ‘arry?”
“As much as I’m enjoying this dance,” he said cautiously. “I think I should be dancing with someone else.”
“I think I understand,” she said, smiling. Harry nodded and walked away, navigating carefully through the twirling couples.
“You want to dance?” he asked Ginny.
“Absolutely,” she said, relieved. Harry put a hand on her waist and they joined the gentle rotation.
“Thanks,” she said gratefully. “That man was beginning to scare me.”
Harry chuckled. “Anytime,” he said.
“So, when…” Ginny cut herself off mid-sentence.
“When what?”
“When are you leaving?” Her eyes filled with an odd sorrow.
Harry sighed deeply. “The day after tomorrow.”
“I see.”
He had half expected her to cry or plead him not to go, but she didn’t. Instead, she simply looked at him with the same hard look in her eye he had seen so many times.
“Promise me,” she said, “that you will come back.”
“I promise,” he said simply, but then thought about what he was saying. “I promise that I’ll try, but I can’t say that I definitely will.”
Ginny nodded in understanding. “That’s good enough.”
Harry pulled her into a tight hug. He really did love her, that was clear to him now. He could feel her clinging to the back of his robes. As they stood there, neither spoke for fear of ruining the moment. However, reluctantly, they had to let go of each other eventually. It hurt more than Harry had ever imagined that it would, but it had to be done, for both their sakes. Even though he didn’t know how he was supposed to go on without her, let alone stop thinking about her, he would do all everything in his power to protect from anything, from anyone.
At eleven that night, Harry sat alone outside the marquee, enjoying the last real peace he might experience for some time. Looking up at the bright stars, he thought for the first time about the fact he may well not come out of this war alive. He was surprised to find it didn’t scare him half as much as he thought it would.
“What are you doing out here alone?” said Lupin from somewhere behind him.
“Thinking,” Harry said shortly.
“Has Arthur told you yet?”
“Told me what?” he answered quickly.
Lupin seemed mildly taken aback by his abruptness. He looked away from Harry and stared up at the night sky. A glazed expression was on his face.
“Dumbledore’s will was found yesterday. It was hidden in a drawer with a stash of sherbet lemons.”
Harry laughed despite himself. Lupin also chuckled quietly.
“We’re expected at headquarters tomorrow for the reading.” Lupin sighed. Harry didn’t say anything. It was stupid really, but he had never considered the fact that Dumbledore had a will. Would he really have left anything to him anyway? When it al came down to it, Harry was still only a student.
“Nearly a full moon,” Lupin whispered, breaking the empty silence. Harry looked at his former Professor. A shadow seemed to be lingering somewhere behind his eyes, giving him the essence of a haunted man. It seemed a shame. It always took Lupin weeks to recover from each transformation, and when he finally did, the whole process would start again.
“Must be easier now you have Tonks about,” said Harry.
The haunted look left Lupin almost instantly.
“Oh, it is.” he smiled. “I know how much she’s sacrificed to be with me, but I can see how happy she is too, and that makes me happier.”
“Having someone there really takes the strain off things.”
“Sounds like you’re speaking from experience,” Lupin said. Even in the darkness, Harry could see his eyebrows were raised.
“I suppose I am,” Harry mumbled.
“We don’t happen to be talking about a certain red haired girl you seemed pretty close to on the dance floor, are we?” Lupin was inspecting Harry closely, who nodded sadly.
“I broke it off with her at Dumbledore’s funeral.”
“To protect her, I presume.”
Again, Harry nodded. Lupin’s eyes remained fixed on him.
"You know, Harry, it doesn't do any good to push away the people you care for."
“This isn’t like you and Tonks,” Harry snapped, finding himself suddenly angry.“It’s way different.”
“In what way?” Lupin said in his ever calm voice.
“Because you know what is coming. I don’t. I am not dragging her into that!”
“Still though-”
“Still nothing! If I stay with Ginny, I will be leading her head first into danger none of us are ready for. So, if I can stop her, I will.” Harry’s clenched fists shook as he spoke.
“And you have to face this danger?”
Harry stood up and walked a few paces away from Lupin. With his back still turned away, he said gruffly, “Yes.”
Silence rang between the two men until Lupin suddenly scrambled to his feet.
“You’re going after Voldemort, aren’t you?” His voice cracked as he spoke. Harry said nothing. Lupin took this to mean the worst.
“Harry, what are you thinking? You’ll be killed for sure!” he pleaded.
“I’m willing to make that sacrifice if I have to.” This time it was Harry’s turn to be calm.
“You really are the chosen one.”
“That’s irrelevant.”
Lupin did something he had never done before; he hugged Harry. Harry had no memory of being hugged this way by a man. Sure, Sirius had, but not like this, not like a father.
“I know that there is no point trying to stop you, so I won’t. All I’m going to say is that you’re not alone. I’ll always be here for you,” Lupin said, still holding Harry. Then he held him at arms length and said tearfully, “If James could only see the man you’ve become, he’d be so proud of you. You hold every characteristic that made your father the great man he was.”
What Is Right And What Is Easy by fizzingwizzbee
Chapter Notes: I apologise so much for the certain lack of updates that have been going on here. I'm afraid to say that my personal life has got in the way but that's all going to change now. So here's chapter three. Thanks very much again to my Beta and my lovely readers. A few more reviews would be welcomed...