Things Change prt1

Recap: Harry flew to Grimmauld Place number 12and found all the Weasleys and Hermione in his house. Charlie asks Harry to follow him and scares him.
Harry was startled because he had always thought that Charlie liked him. “Er- I am here because this is my house and I have some business to do here, in it,” Harry told Charlie in a matter-of-factly tone that sounded a lot like Hermione’s. “Also I know that I hurt Ginny, badly, but she is tough. And I only did it to protect her from Voldemort and the DeathEaters,” Harry spat the last word while Charlie was wincing at the sound of Lord Voldemort’s name.

In a split second Charlie’s face contorted to almost a pained expression. For a moment Harry thought that Charlie was going to attack him, but instead Charlie took a deep breath. “Watch your mouth, Potter,” he hissed at Harry. “This may be your house, but if I remember correctly you said that the order could still use it for headquarters. Well I am in the Order now that I am back here, permanently. And don’t give me that hurting Ginny crap, it doesn’t work on me.”

“Charlie, what would it be like to go to Ginny’s funeral, and know it was your fault? Would you like it?” Harry managed to mutter before wheeling out of the room leaving Charlie sitting there all alone. Charlie was still sitting on the bed, with a look of utter confusion, bewilderment, and anger. Harry, too was angry, and made his way to the top floor in the house. On the landing there where only three rooms: two bedrooms and one bathroom.

He entered the first room to the right. He realized when he opened the door; it was Sirius’s old bedroom. On the walls were cut-out articles of Hogwarts and pictures of four teenagers: James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. He looked briefly at the pictures before collapsing on the bed. The images of the boys were burned into his mind. Nice birthday present he thought. He rode his Firebolt to get here, because he didn’t want to apparate even though he was of age, and he didn’t want the ministry involved since he believed that many of them were Death Eaters.

Right he was drifting asleep, Ron came barging through the door and sat down on the end of the bed. His expression remained completely unreadable.

Harry sat up, “Hi, what are you doing in here, Ron? And how did you find me?” He asked the gangly man, how just happened to be his best mate.

“Yes both Hermione and I know about the break-up between you and Ginny, mate. We aren’t exactly pleased, but we get it and we’ll live with it in the time being.” Ron assured Harry. His expression hadn’t changed since he came through the door, and his voice was as polite as could be. Something was wrong and Harry knew it. Hermione and Ginny entered through the door, trying not to look conspicuous, but Harry saw them and they knew it.

“Okay, can I talk to Ginny for just a minute, alone?” Harry asked his friends. The other two complied and left the room, silently.

Ginny came closer and took the spot that Ron had just occupied. “Happy Birthday, Harry.” Ginny said with a small, but sad, smile on her lips. It was a sweet and caring gesture, and it brought hope and love back into Harry’s heart.