Circle of Love

Hermione laid snuggled in covers, the thumping sound barely registering in her sleepy mind. She felt Draco shift slightly to move closer and felt his arms tighten around her. She burrowed her face into his chest.

“Hermione Granger! Draco Malfoy! What are you doing in bed together? What shenanigans are going on here?” Broke through their sleep and the voice that had filled many a howler in Hogwarts woke them both with a start.

Both sat up and looked towards the door to see a red-faced Molly Weasley and an apologetic Ginny Weasley standing just inside looking at them. Ginny shrugged her shoulders and mouthed the words 'I tried'.

“Morning Mrs. Weasley,” Draco said, the first to recover from the abrupt wake up call. Hermione just buried her head in his shoulder, a blush covering her face and running down her neck. Draco reached up and laid a comforting hand on hers.

“You! Get up and get out of this room now!” Molly shouted and the finger she held pointed at Draco shook with anger. Draco felt Hermione's hand tighten on his arm before letting go, pulling out from beneath his.

“You'll be okay, kitten?” Draco whispered to Hermione and she looked up and nodded. Draco gently touched her cheek, kissing her lightly before standing. He heard the gasp from Molly and a small hint of laughter from Ginny. He brushed past them without a word. He stopped after walking out the door and turned.

“See you downstairs, Hermione,” Draco said, and Mrs. Weasley slammed the door in his face. His facade dropped, and he looked regretfully at the door. He entered his own one a few steps down and slammed it with a loud bang. He kicked the bed side table, grabbed his bare foot from the pain and sat down on the bed.


“Hermione do you know what you are doing? That boy-” Molly Weasley's voice screeched.

“That boy, as you called him, has been nothing but nice to me.” Hermione calmly said and finally looked at her best mate's mother.

“He's a- a Malfoy!” Molly sputtered out, her face still red from anger and worry.

“He's also a member of the Order and trusted by the Professors. That's good enough for me.” Hermione said, and pulled back the covers to stand up. She was still dressed in the clothes she had been wearing the day before, and the mussed, wrinkled clothing finally caught Molly's attention.

“Nice doesn't help in nine months when he'll leave you alone to raise any consequences he may leave you with.” Molly said. “You're so much like a daughter to me, Hermione. I worry over you as much as my own children.”

“Mrs. Weasley, we haven't done anything like that yet,” Hermione told her. “And if we did, we'd take proper precautions, I assure you.” She walked over to Molly and hugged her.

“How can you be sure he isn't using you? It wasn't too long ago you both hated each other.” Molly asked her, allowing herself to be drawn to a chair by the two girls to sit down.

“Can we ever be sure of that? He hasn't pushed for anything, and he's letting me set the pace.” Hermione sat down on the arm of the chair. Ginny went over and sat down on the bed.

“Well I guess that's good. What are your feelings towards him?”

“I like him, and since his mother's death he has changed a lot and for the better. He even saved me from his own father. So, he's lost him also. Draco is alone now, and needs friends.”

“Friends I can understand, Hermione. But it wasn't so long ago that you were with Ron,” Molly's face fell with the mention of her youngest son's name. “Isn't it kind of soon for you to get involved again?”

“That's why I am taking it slow. No I have not forgotten Ron either. I never will forget him, but I need to go forward with my life. Maybe it's me using Malfoy not the other way around?”

“You? Never.” Molly said and smiled slightly when Ginny slid onto the other arm of the chair. Both girls slid their arms around Molly. “I just worry so much about my two girls, the future with all that is going on scares me so for you two.”

“Mum don't worry about us.” Ginny said and hugged her mother tight.

“You both with Harry and now Malfoy in the mix are facing so much. I just don't want to lose anymore.”

“No one knows what is going to happen mum.” Ginny said. “I am just happy that Harry stopped pushing me away because of You-Know-Who. He finally realizes being apart doesn't keep me from danger.”

“You and Harry? Just what have you two been doing?” Molly asked her youngest.

“Nothing Mum. Harry's been a perfect gentleman.” Ginny winked at Hermione over her mother's head.

“I just wish you weren't mixed up in this.” Molly's head shook sadly.

“Mum- I was mixed up in this the day Malfoy senior gave me Riddle's diary in my first year. I'd rather face the dangers openly and with Harry than wait at home in worry. Harry needs all of us to be with him. He needs our love and support.”

“He's also too young for all this.”

“He's been prepared well by Professors Dumbledore, Lupin and Snape. We are all learning now. You-Know-Who is not going to know what hit him when he finally makes his move.”

“Just be careful.”

“Mum!”

“In all ways, Ginny. Now I think we should let Hermione get ready for breakfast. We'll see you downstairs in a bit.” Molly stood up and hugged them both.

Hermione watched them both walk out the door. Ginny turned to give her a small smile before Molly pulled her out and the door closed with a small click. She gathered up some fresh clothes and headed for the bathroom to shower and get ready for the day.

Arthur picked up another piece of toast and watched the young wizard before him. He had known Harry now for over six years and really liked the boy.

“So, Harry, what was so important that you needed to owl me?” Arthur asked, and saw Harry choke slightly on his pumpkin juice before answering.

“Well sir, I was hoping to talk somewhere private.” Harry gestured around the kitchen. Now that Ginny's father was finally bringing it up, Harry's courage was beginning to fail him.

“True, this room should be refilling soon-- Hello Snape.” Arthur greeted the Potions master when he entered the kitchen.

“Weasley.” Snape nodded to him and sat down at the table.

“Professor sir, how is Professor Lupin?” Harry asked, forgetting his talk with Arthur for the moment.

“Professor Lupin was well enough this morning to go running off.” Severus snorted and poured some coffee into a mug and added a healthy measure of cream before stirring it.

“He went running off- and you let him?” Harry asked.

“Yes, Mr. Potter, he went running off. I presume to St Mungo's to that Metamorphmagus girlfriend of his.” Snape took a long sip of his coffee and watched Potter breath a sigh of relief.

Molly and Ginny returned to the kitchen, and Ginny slid into the seat next to Harry and smiled. Molly gave Arthur a look and then turned to Snape.

“Remus is okay? And how is your leg?” She added, realizing he shouldn't actually be walking around himself.

“My leg is fine. Nothing time won't heal. And as I told the others, Lupin went running off to see Tonks.” Snape snorted into his coffee.

“So he is better?” Molly asked worriedly.

“Molly- he's fine.” Snape stood up and walked out of the kitchen with his mug of coffee.

“Severus wait-” Molly started to say, pointing at his still empty plate., but Arthur raised his hand to stop her.

“Molly, let the man alone. Remus looked fine when he arrived in Tonks's room. He was just very tired after his night.” Arthur told her.

“How was poor Tonks? Really! That girl can get into such trouble.” Molly said.

“Tonks is fine also- she should be home soon.” Arthur told her. “Sit down Molly, and eat.” He softened his words with a smile.

Ginny slipped her hand into Harry's underneath the table and gave him a reassuring squeeze. They heard the entry door open and heard footsteps towards the kitchen.

“Wotcher!” Tonks said tiredly from the doorway on Remus's arm. “Look!” She held her hand out, and the antique ring's diamond glittered in the kitchen's lights. Molly and Ginny jumped up to admire it.

“I've asked Tonks to marry me.” Remus told them, a grin plastered to his face.

“About time too.” Tonks said with a laugh and leaned a bit heavier on Remus's arm. “Imagine! He almost chickened out.”

“Congratulations to both of you.” Arthur said and looked towards Harry, who had been silent through the whole announcement.

“I'm happy for you both,” Harry said finally, the seriousness of what he wanted to talk to Mr Weasley coming to his mind.

“I think Harry and I have something to discuss. We'll be in the sitting room- alone.” Arthur said, and shook his head at Molly's inquiring glance.

Remus watched the two leave and wondered what was up with his best friend's son, and then looked at Ginny, who looked back at him and smiled. He smiled back with realization. “About time there also.” He murmured.

Harry and Arthur entered the sitting room and Arthur closed the doors and put up a silencing charm. Arthur took a seat by the fire and motioned for Harry to take the chair on the other side.

“I thought you'd like a bit of privacy,” Arthur smiled. “So Harry, what would you like to talk about?”

“Well, sir,” Harry said and gulped, his adam's apple bobbing. Now that the time had come, and Mr Weasley was here, he had no clue how to start.

“It's okay, I'm not going to yell or anything,” Arthur said and tried to relieve the poor boy's fears.

“Mr Weasley- I wouldlikeyourpermissiontoaskGinnytomarryme,” Harry blurted out, nothing like the words he had practiced in his head all night.

“Slow down Harry, I didn't understand that.” Arthur watched Harry take a deep breath.

“I would like your permission to ask Ginny to marry me.” Harry repeated slowly.

“Do you love my daughter?”

“With all my heart and soul, sir.”

“You both are so young, are you sure it's love?”

“Sir- I see Ginny and my heart pounds, she is in my thoughts constantly. I'd die for her.” Harry told him.

“Didn't you break up with her after Professor Dumbledore's death?”

“I broke up with her- yes. But I never stopped loving her. I've seen people I care for die because I was friends with them. I feared that Voldemort would hurt her if he knew about us.”

“What changed your mind, son?”

“Ron's death sir. It showed me that the time we have is too precious to waste.” Harry stood up from his chair and walked to Dumbledore's portrait. His hand traced the frame and the old wizard smiled at him and nodded.

“Ginny is in danger whether we are together or not. We are all facing dangers we didn't ask for!” Harry turned back to look at Mr. Weasley.

“Can you keep my daughter safe?”

“I will keep her as safe as I can. You know Ginny, she doesn't take no for answer. With my wand and my heart sir, I will do my best.”

“I wasn't much older than you when I fell in love with Ginny's mother- Ginny will be old enough soon to make her own mind up.” Arthur sat back in his chair and thought for a moment. The honesty of the emotions in the boy's words moved him. He hated the thought of them moving so soon in their youth, but he knew that time was just too fleeting with the dangers that were coming to a head at this time.

“I'd prefer that you waited until Ginny's of age for the actual wedding, but you have my permission to ask her.” Arthur nodded and watched the boy smile in relief.

“Thank you Mr Weasley.” Harry said, the weight finally off of his shoulders.

“Go to her boy, don't keep her in suspense.” Arthur said and Harry nodded and left. Mr. Weasley looked to Dumbledore's portrait and sighed.

“Albus, I fear for them all.” And a small tear slid down Arthur's cheek.

“They'll be fine, Arthur.” Albus watched his old friend wipe the tear from his eye.

“I know, just she's my baby. All grown up now because of this mess.” Arthur said angrily.

“She needs him as much as he needs her. Without the love he receives from you all, he will fail.”

“Love didn't save James or Lily!”

“It saved Harry though, and now he needs more love to see him through.”

“I just never thought he'd be asking so soon.” Arthur shook his head. “This War-”

“Has been going on the entirety of their lives, would you rather they live in the fear like Voldemort wants, or defeat that fear and grow?” Albus asked.

“Now just to explain to Molly,” Arthur said.

“Explain to me what dear?” Molly asked. “Harry said you might need me.”

“Harry has asked my permission to marry Ginny.” Arthur turned to look at his wife, and grimaced at her shocked expression.

“What did you tell him?” Molly asked, walking close to him and into his arms as he opened them to her.

“I said yes dear.” Arthur told her, her face looking up at him.

“But they are so young,” Molly exclaimed.

“Not much older than the first time we hid out in a broom closet,” Arthur laughed a little at her look of shock.

“You didn't tell him that, did you?” Molly cried.

“No dear, but I will if you make a fuss.” Arthur held his wife and felt her tears soak his shoulder.