Secret Love

Chapter 19: A New Beginning

The Hogwarts Express slowed to a stop, the screeching of the brakes filling the air as students gathered their belongings and prepared to disembark. The familiar sight of the towering castle loomed ahead, dark and majestic under the night sky. Harry and Ginny remained seated in their compartment, taking a moment to breathe before stepping back into the school where the entire student body likely knew about their marriage by now.

Harry, still uneasy about the revelation in the *Daily Prophet*, glanced over at Ginny. She looked calm, but he could see the determination in her eyes. They had no choice but to face whatever awaited them, and as much as Harry wished he could shield Ginny from the inevitable gossip and stares, he knew she was more than capable of handling it.

"Ready?" Ginny asked, standing up and offering him her hand.

Harry took it, giving her a small, reassuring smile. "Ready as I'll ever be."

Together, they grabbed their trunks and made their way off the train, following the steady stream of students toward the waiting carriages that would take them up to the castle. As they stepped out onto the platform, Harry could already feel eyes on them. Conversations around them hushed, and he could hear snippets of whispers—his name, Ginny's name, and the word "married" repeated over and over.

They climbed into one of the carriages, and as it began to move, Harry felt Ginny's hand slip into his. He squeezed it, grateful for her presence. No matter what the others thought, this was their life now, and he wasn't going to let anyone make them feel ashamed of it.

By the time they reached the castle, Harry's nerves were buzzing. He was no stranger to attention, but this was different. This wasn't just about him being "the Boy Who Lived"—it was about something deeply personal. And it wasn't just his reputation at stake; it was Ginny's too.

As they entered the Great Hall for the start-of-term feast, it felt as if the entire room turned to stare. Heads swiveled, conversations stopped, and Harry could feel the weight of hundreds of eyes on them. Even the staff at the head table seemed curious, though Dumbledore, sitting serenely in the center, gave them a knowing nod, his eyes twinkling as if he already knew everything that had transpired over the summer.

Ron, Hermione, and the rest of the Weasleys were already seated at the Gryffindor table. Hermione waved them over, a worried look on her face. Ron, on the other hand, looked torn between concern and frustration. Harry and Ginny made their way over, sitting across from their friends, and before Harry could even say a word, Hermione leaned in, whispering urgently.

"The whole school is talking about it. Everyone's saying you two are married," she said, glancing nervously around the hall.

"Yeah, we saw," Harry said dryly, nodding toward the folded *Daily Prophet* still in his hand.

Ginny, however, wasn't fazed. "Let them talk. They'll get over it eventually."

Ron's eyes were fixed on the table, his fork stabbing idly at a piece of roast chicken. After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice strained. "So... it's true then? You two really... got married?"

Harry nodded, exchanging a quick glance with Ginny. "It wasn't something we planned, Ron. But it happened."

Ron exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Blimey, Harry. You're my best mate, and Ginny's my sister. I don't know how to wrap my head around this."

Ginny leaned across the table, her voice calm but firm. "We didn't ask for this, Ron. The soulbond did it, and the law made it official. But it doesn't change who we are. I'm still your sister, and Harry's still your best friend."

Ron looked up at them both, his expression conflicted. "I just... I don't know what to say."

Hermione nudged Ron gently, giving him a pointed look. "You don't have to say anything, Ron. Just be happy for them. They love each other."

Harry felt a rush of gratitude toward Hermione. She had always been the voice of reason, and right now, they needed that more than ever.

Ron sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'll try, alright? It's just... weird."

Ginny rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. "Thanks, Ron. That's all we're asking."

The tension eased slightly, and the conversation shifted back to more mundane topics—classes, Quidditch, and what the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher might be like this year. Harry felt himself relax a little, the warmth of the Great Hall and the familiar atmosphere of Hogwarts comforting him.

As the feast continued, Harry occasionally glanced around the hall, catching bits of conversation. The Hufflepuff table seemed particularly animated, probably still reeling from Cedric's death last year. Over at the Slytherin table, Draco Malfoy was sneering in their direction, but for once, Harry didn't care. Let Malfoy think whatever he wanted. Harry had Ginny, and that was all that mattered.

When the feast was finally over, and students began making their way to their respective dormitories, Harry felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. The events of the day—the discovery of the writing on their rings, the *Daily Prophet* article, the whispers—had taken a toll on him. All he wanted now was to curl up in bed with Ginny and forget about everything for a while.

As they made their way up to the Gryffindor common room, Hermione and Ron walked with them, the latter still stealing occasional glances at the rings on their fingers. When they finally reached the Fat Lady's portrait, Harry hesitated, turning to Ginny.

"You'll be okay in the Slytherin dorms?" he asked quietly, a hint of concern in his voice.

Ginny smiled, leaning up to give him a quick kiss. "I'll be fine. Besides, I think we both need a little space to process everything that happened today."

Harry nodded, though he wasn't thrilled about the idea of being apart from her, even for one night. But Ginny was right. They both had a lot to think about, and tomorrow would bring even more challenges.

"Goodnight, Harry," Ginny whispered, squeezing his hand before turning to head toward the dungeons.

"Goodnight," he called after her, watching as she disappeared down the corridor.

Hermione and Ron exchanged a look before leading Harry into the common room. It was just as warm and inviting as he remembered, the fire crackling in the hearth, the armchairs beckoning students to sit and relax. But Harry was too tired to appreciate it. He mumbled a quick goodnight to his friends before heading up the staircase to his dormitory.

Once inside, Harry collapsed onto his bed, staring up at the canopy. His mind was still spinning with everything that had happened over the summer—Gringotts, the soulbond, the marriage, the press, and now the mysterious writing on their rings.

He turned the ring on his finger once more, the faint writing just barely visible in the dim light. Whatever it meant, it was connected to the bond between him and Ginny, and he had a feeling it was more important than either of them realized.

With a sigh, Harry closed his eyes, his thoughts drifting to Ginny. They had faced so much together already, and yet it felt like their journey was just beginning. No matter what came next, he knew they would face it together.

And with that comforting thought, Harry drifted off to sleep, the warmth of the bond between him and Ginny lingering in his heart.