Harry Potter and the Wrath of the Fallen

Chapter 2: A Return to the Burrow

The Burrow stood in a secluded field not far from the village of Ottery St Catchpole. The odd wooden structure which had been the Weasley family home for decades, was nestled amongst  lush green fields, with a small dirt path leading to a front door besieged by shoes and chooks. The house seemed to defy logic, with level after level reaching into the sky at strange angles; the few local muggles who had seen the house marvelled that it hadn't yet toppled over.

Behind the house was a garden full of overgrown plants, a large wooden shed that had been the cause of many disputes between Mr and Mrs Weasley, and a small track leading to the nearby pond. Strands of trees and hedgerows shielded its inhabitants from all but the nosiest of neighbours. Most local residents had simply forgotten about the odd family who lived quietly in the old house, as they were so rarely seen.

Inside a small stone outbuilding located beside the path leading to the Burrow, a 'popping' sound announced the arrival of Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley. A cloud of dust swirled around the two figures as one bent over double clutching their stomach.

"Are you okay, Gin?" asked Harry, suddenly remembering the disorientating feeling he had experienced the first time he had side-along apparated with Dumbledore.

"Uh huh," groaned Ginny as she brought her head back up.

Ginny felt a bit dizzy as she gently moved her head from side to side, making sure it was firmly attached to her shoulders. As normal feeling returned she looked around at the small stone structure they had appeared in. She gave a small laugh as she looked at the dust covered face of Harry.

"We're lucky," she said, grinning broadly, "Dad only just cleaned this out before we went into hiding, after Mum found his collection of fans in here."

"Oops," said Harry sheepishly, "I didn't think of that."

Harry gave a snort of laughter. Arthur Weasleys love of muggle objects bordered on the obsessive. He was fascinated by the ways muggles had found to get by without the ability to perform magic, and he admired their inventiveness.

Harry took in the sight of the young woman in front of him. Even covered in dust and holding her stomach while her queasiness passed, Harry thought she was the most beautiful creature in the world. She was the embodiment of the love and longing that he had held onto while on his quest to destroy Horcruxes; his reason to keep fighting when his mind and body screamed at him to give up. He reached out and put his hand on her cheek.

Ginny looked into Harry's eyes and she could see the hesitation. She could sense the longing he felt, she felt it too – but something else was at work in Harry's mind, something troubling him. This was something she would have to work on later. For now she felt content just being in his presence, and as Harry gazed at her she felt warmth start to spread through her whole body.

"Ginny..." Harry began.

Harry never finished. Ginny wrapped her arms around Harry and kissed him deeply and passionately. Harry responded in kind, giving in to the yearnings he could no longer ignore. Harry ran a hand down Ginny's back, his other hand buried in her long red hair. As their kiss intensified, Ginny began to move her body against him. Harry felt the world falling away from him... but a voice inside his head told him they must stop before they went any further. Without warning, a searing pain in his chest shot through him briefly. Damn, what's wrong with me?

"Ginny," he murmured, as he broke the kiss and felt reality return, "We need to talk before we go any further."

Harry felt the pressure of Ginny's body against him ease as she pulled back and looked up into his eyes.

"I know," she whispered, "but not tonight, my sweet Harry."

Harry was profoundly grateful. Ginny understood that while they would need to talk about all the events that led them to this moment, she also understood that there was a time for everything and this was not the right time to talk about the past.