The Chambers doing

Chapter 4 - School Year Ends Part 2

Albus Dumbledore was not in the best of moods. He'd spent the day before close to being removed from his post due to the death of a first year girl, which never happened, discovered Voldemort to have horcruxes, found that said girl could be expelled despite being innocent, dealt with her parents, and the unfortunate possibility that she may have formed a bond with the student he kept most of an eye on, one Harry Potter.

Now, he was confidently striding down a lesser used wing of the Ministry of Magic, looking for the record on all magical bonds. A few minutes later, he had found it, opened on the most recent page.

1992

Harry James Potter and Ginevra Molly Weasley

Soul Bond

Started: 27th June 1992

Completed: N/A

That wasn't the best. It ruined most of his carefully laid plans for the famous Boy-Who-Lived, and this information was dangerous if the wrong person came across it. At least the bond wasn't completed yet, so with careful intervention, he should be able to keep them together enough to satisfy their need for closeness, while keeping them apart enough so as to prevent the bond completing before Harry's destiny.

Mrs Weasley was frustrated. Little her husband did could calm her down. "What on earth will she think? What will we tell the children? They must have some excuse for her going to stay with Harry!"

Her husband thought about that. It was a fair point. While some of Ginny's brothers may not mind her staying with Harry, he could tell others, namely Ron, would. "Maybe if we see whether Harry and Ginny can stay here when the train leaves, then portkey them to Privet Drive. The boys won't need to know till we get home, so nobody else finds out. Then they aren't in a position to go haring off to kill Harry by being overprotective."

"That might work, but I still don't like them going there alone."

"I'll ask Dumbledore if I can pop over to check on them once or twice a week, and they'll be here later in the holidays hopefully. How does that sound Molly?"

"I guess it's the best we can do under the circumstances. I'll have to make lots of food for you to take to make sure they're being fed properly."

It was at this moment that Professor Dumbledore entered. "There's the Molly I know. Always worrying that people aren't getting enough to eat."

"Albus! I didn't see you come in. How long have you been there?"

"Only a few seconds. I'm afraid I must impose upon your time a little more. The bond has indeed been started, and we must inform the two involved of the arrangements this summer."

Arthur spoke up. "I actually wanted to see you about that Albus. Would it be okay for me to apparate over there once or twice a week, just to make sure they're getting along fine with his relatives?"

"I'm sure that will be fine. Was that what Molly was on about with the food earlier? Also, we must be going soon."

"Yes, and we can come now if you wish."

Meanwhile, in the hospital wing, Harry and Ginny were curled up on their bed behind the privacy curtain, after Madam Pomfrey had given their friends strict times within which to visit and sent them away until tomorrow. Harry was once more holding Ginny close, and whispering in her ear, calming her completely. Every so often, he would lean up and place a soft kiss on the top of her head.

This was how Mr and Mrs Weasley found them when they entered with the headmaster. They stood there paralysed as they watched the children in their close embrace, before Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat. They looked up, and both blushed scarlet at being seen in their position by Ginny's parents. However neither of them made any effort to move.

Professor Dumbledore started. "Ms Weasley, your parents both know about your need for contact, and I have discovered that it is indeed necessary, however no one else should be informed of it if possible, excepting maybe Professor McGonagall."

"What do you mean, it is necessary?" Harry started the questioning.

"Precisely that. Yesterday, when you saved Ms Weasley's life in the chamber, a bond was formed between the two of you."

"Um, what type of bond?"

"A soul-bond. As this is generally kept private, I have very little information, and the Department of Mysteries refuses to provide me with anymore without knowing the occupant of the bond, and I believed you would want knowledge of it kept secret."

This time it was Ginny's turn to speak up, the first her parents had heard her speak since the chamber. "What does it entail?"

Dumbledore thought for a moment. 'How much information should I give them? I can avoid telling them what must happen for them to complete the bond, to try and prevent it happening, and they have no need to know the more romantic implications, but I have to give them enough for them to believe it is all I have. Also probably best for them to not know how close Ms Weasley is to being expelled.'

He answered, "while I am not sure of much to do with the bond, I am aware that it is not yet complete. You will experience a need for close physical contact most the time. While it is possible to separate, the need will soon be overwhelming. I have no idea how long this will last, but most likely it will end when the bond is completed. Soul bonds are rare, in fact the last recorded one was in 1783, more than two centuries ago. They are also the most powerful of magical bonds. If you resist any urges it gives you for too long, it could result in death for both of you."

Mr Weasley took this moment to speak up, first muttering silencio while pointing his wand at his wife. "Due to your need to stay in close contact, and Professor Dumbledore's insistence for Harry to return to Privet Drive, you, Ginny dear, will be going with him. You will remain there until the bond is completed, when we will move you to the Burrow, or school starts again."

Dumbledore, seeing Harry worried at the thought of having to go back to his relatives, headed him off. "I will be visiting your relatives tomorrow, and persuading them to treat you better than they have done in the past. Also, Arthur will be visiting once or twice each week to make sure you are okay, no doubt bringing some of Molly's excellent cooking."

Mr Weasley continued. "We will be avoiding telling the boys about you sharing a bed if possible, and they won't know where you are spending your summer until we get home. You will be staying in the hospital wing until the Hogwarts Express has left, when you will take a portkey straight to Privet Drive."

Dumbledore decided to end the discussion. "That will be all for now. We will be back to visit tomorrow within Madam Pomfrey's strict visiting hours. For now, you could do with some rest."

With that, he left the room, and led the elder Weasley's back to his office.

Mrs Weasley, having had her silencing charm removed, addressed Dumbledore. "Albus, we would like for you to try and keep Ginny in school if possible."

"I will do my best. Is that all?"

"Yes. I think we should be turning in as well."

"Goodnight then."

Back in the hospital wing, Harry turned back to Ginny. "A soul bond. What do you think of that?" He asked.

"I like it. It sounds like you're stuck with me forever." She replied quietly.

"That sounds wonderful. I can't help but think Dumbledore has started keeping things from me."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I don't know if you noticed earlier, but he kept mentioning our bond under his breath, then talked about horcruxes, whatever they are, and it seemed as if he knew more than he let on about the bond. I mean, you think that the most powerful wizard in the world would be able to get some more information, even from the Department of Mysteries."

"Hmm, that is odd. I guess we'll just have to research it ourselves when we get to Privet Drive. But for now, I need to sleep. I also noticed he started calling me Ms Weasley, not Miss."

With that, she curled up into Harry's side, as he pulled her back into his arms. He gave her a quick peck on the head before dropping off himself.