An Unexpected Turn of Events

Chapter one

Harry stood up from the table to help with the dishes. He always felt that since Mrs. Weasley welcomed him into her home and fed him, the least he could do help with the clean up.

While he worked he couldn't help but notice that Bill and Charlie where watching him closely. He didn't like the look on their faces. He also noticed that slowly over the course of the next few minutes that all the other Weasley boys where filtering outside.

Mr. & Mrs. Weasley made their way into the parlor and Harry noted the absence of Ginny; she had disappeared right after dinner.

Bill and Charlie stood and came over to Harry. "Harry, we'd like to have a little chat if you don't mind" Bill said lowly. "Why don't we just step out back for a moment?"

"Sure, no problem" Harry replied uncertainly. While he hadn't had much close interaction with either of the eldest Weasley brothers, he always respected them due to Ginny's love and devotion to them.

They stepped out of the Burrow into the fading light of the coming evening and went around the side of the house into the garden by the back of the house. There sitting in a circle were all the brothers. There were three empty seats; Bill took the one on the left and Charlie the one on the right leaving the center one for Harry.

As Harry sat he glanced around the circle and looked at the faces of the Weasley boys. It wasn't a welcoming sight. All looked grim, though some were uncomfortably so, especially Ron and the Twins.

Bill was the first to speak, "Look Harry, we all think you're a great bloke". Harry glanced over at him with a confused look. "Really, we do...but we have some concerns regarding your relationship with Ginny."

"What do you mean Bill?" asked Harry who was growing more and more concerned as his stomach starting to twist into knots. "I have nothing but love and respect for her, she is what keeps me going, and she is the only thing that makes all I have to face bearable."

"That being what it is", responded Charlie "We feel that it is her best interest that you no longer go out with her".

Harry's jaw dropped as he looked at each brother in turn. Ron wouldn't meet his eyes; Percy looked away real quickly, staring down at his shoes. The Twins kept glancing at Harry and then each other while squirming in their seats. Bill and Charlie held his look with a grim determination. "So you all feel this way?"

"Yes" was the terse reply from Bill.

Harry's mind reeled; he felt the world drop away from under his feet. He was just about to say something when he was interrupted from behind by someone clearing their throat.

Every one turned quickly and saw Molly and Arthur standing behind them. One look and you knew they were not happy. If fact Harry was sure that Molly was on the point of exploding.

"Harry dear", Molly said with forced sweetness "Would you please go back into the house and help Ginny? That's a good lad."

Harry rose uncertainly, looking from Molly to Arthur to the circle of the brothers. He hesitated, unsure where he stood with the Weasley parents.

Bill tried to stop Harry with a hand on his shoulder, "We were just having a little chat Mum."Yes, I can see that" Molly replied icily. She turned once more to Harry and said quite warmly, "You go on now dear. Go see Ginny and leave these bloody idiots to Arthur and me."

Bill tried to rise but a stern "SIT" from Molly froze him in his seat.

Harry made his way back into the house expecting to find Ginny down stairs in the kitchen or parlor but she wasn't there. Since Molly had specifically stated that he was to help her he went in search of her. He climbed the stairs and stopped outside of her bedroom door. Knocking lightly, "Ginny" he called out softly.

"One moment" came her reply. Harry heard several footsteps and the door opened. "Harry!" she said shocked, "What are you doing here?"

Harry looked at her standing there in here dressing gown, half open showing her night gown from the waist up. "Your Mum said to come in and help you" Harry replied quite confused. "If you don't need me I should go." he said dejectedly as he turned to go.

"Wait! Don't go" Ginny said as she reached out and grabbed hold of his arm. "Please come in and sit and talk with me a while."

"Uh, sure" Harry mumbled. He was totally confused now. First Ginny's brothers corralled him after dinner to tell him to stay away from her, then Mr. & Mrs. Weasley interrupt and send him in to help her when she certainly wasn't expecting him, all this had Harry totally lost.

"Harry, what's wrong? You sure seem upset about something. What is it?" Ginny asked.

Harry hesitated, unsure what to say. He didn't want to cause any strife in the Weasley family, he knew how much Ginny loved her family and he didn't want to be the one that intruded into that dynamic. He kept his eyes glued to the floor while he tried to get his thoughts and emotions under control.

Ginny went over to her bed and jumped up on it and sat cross legged. She patted the bed next to her. "Harry" Ginny said forcefully. "Come here and sit and tell me, or I'll have to hex you! You know you can't keep anything from me for too long. You might as well just tell me now and get it over with."

"Look Ginny" Harry started, "I, um, uh. Damn! I don't know where to start! Ginny, you know I think the world of you, I'd do anything for you, but I don't think I can see you anymore." He said in despair. He couldn't look at her; he glanced from the floor to the ceiling, anywhere but into those chocolate brown eyes that he couldn't bear to look at right now.

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? Ginny yelled.

Harry flinched and glanced over at her. Ginny's eyes were ablaze with her fury, brow furrowed, lips drawn into a thin line. "Well, I, um, I don't know how to say this, I, um, your brothers, um, shite! Bloody 'effing hell! Theydon'twantmetoseeyouanymore!" Harry said in one long breath.

" What…? Please say that again a little slower," Ginny demanded.

"Your brothers don't want me to see you any more" Harry whispered. "They think I'll end up hurting you with having to do all I have to do. They think you'll be better off without me."

"And you Bloody think I give a damn what they think?" Ginny asked incredulously. "Well let me tell you one thing Harry! I don't care what they think, and they bloody well better get it through their thick skulls that I can make up my own mind and take care of myself! I'm the only one who says who I go out with. If they think I'm going to listen to them..." When did this happen, who said what to you, who was there? BLOODY HELL!" Ginny yelled.

"Calm down Ginny! Please!"

"I'll give you Calm Down!" Ginny started. "You'd better start talking or you're next Harry!"

"Look, I'll tell you everything. Please just calm down a little and listen to me, OK?" Harry pleaded. "I think your brothers are in enough trouble as it is."

"Why?" asked Ginny quizzically.

"Your parents kind of interrupted the proceedings. That's when your Mum sent me in to you, she didn't seem happy with your brothers, in fact I'd say livid doesn't even come close to her state of mind. Your Dad didn't look happy either but he didn't say anything but boy did he look grim."

Ginny took Harry's hand in hers. "I guess we'll have to wait and see what they do. But Harry, there is no way I'm letting those gits come between us. I love you and I'll always be there for you."

"I love you too Ginny, but I don't want to hurt you or your family." Harry said softly.

"Harry, you're not the one hurting me! They are! If you think that's the way to treat someone you love, you have got another thing coming. That's no way to treat someone, you're supposed to support them, help them not try to keep the person they love away from them." Ginny thought silently for a moment then snorted in laughter. "They better hope Mum and Dad go easy on them, because when I get through with them they won't know what hit them.

"What the bloody blazes do you think you were doing!" demanded Molly.

"We were all just having a nice chat after dinner Mum" said Bill, hoping that Molly and Arthur hadn't been standing there too long.

"OH, and what were you chatting about?" Molly asked, her tone syrupy sweet that belied her growing fury.

"Nothing in particular" said Charlie hopefully.

"Don't lie to us" barked Arthur.

The boys all glanced fearfully from one to another. "Why do you think that" interjected Bill.

"Maybe you should take better notice of your surroundings next time you all try to gang up on someone" Molly retorted icily. "And stay away from open windows so that you aren't over heard!" With those growled words, she pointed at the open window above their heads.

"Mum" Bill started.

"Don't Mum me! WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK YOU WERE DOING! Molly yelled. "HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY DO THAT TO GINNY, LET ALONE HARRY! HOW COULD YOU HURT HER LIKE THAT!"

"We never wanted to hurt her Mum; we are just trying to protect her!" Bill said.

"Who said you needed to protect her like this" hissed Molly. "If we would have let you get away with this it would have hurt her like nothing else ever could. Harry would never purposely hurt her like you all tried just now! Did you even take her feelings into consideration?"

The boys all squirmed in their seats and wouldn't look at their parents.

"I take it from your silence none of you consulted with her before undertaking this misguided debacle." Molly stated.

"We never intended to hurt her we just want to keep her from getting hurt by Harry." Percy interjected.

"Well if we hadn't intervened you would have hurt her more than Harry ever could have, you're supposed to be her brothers who love her and want her to be happy, not be the source of unbelievable pain." Molly said. "I can't believe you actually thought that this was a good idea. And you Ronald, you're supposed to be Harry's best friend, how could you betray him like this, HOW? "

Ron leaned forward, his head in his hands. "I don't know" he replied dejectedly.

"And you two" she said turning to the twins. "Teammates and fellow Gryffindors, you think this is acceptable behavior?"

Fred and George both glanced at their mother and then hung their heads, unable to mount even the feeblest of defense.

Bill stood up abruptly, "You don't understand!" he said forcefully. Reaching out and grabbing hold of Molly's left arm.

As quick as lightning Molly's right hand lashed out and slapped Bill across the face. Bill reached up and grabbed his face as he slumped back into his chair with a stunned look.

"GET OUT! ALL OF YOU, GET OUT OF MY SIGHT, YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE RIGHT NOW! MERLIN HELP ME IF I SEE ANY ONE OF YOU HERE BEFORE I SAY YOU CAN RETURN I'LL HEX YOU INTO OBLIVION!" Molly screamed at them. She turned abruptly and stalked off toward the house.

Arthur added, "Best do as she says boys, I can't believe it myself, I thought we'd raised you better than this. I'm severely disappointed in you all. Good night boys, you'd best be leaving before your mother does something drastic." With that he spun on his heel and marched off toward the house too.

Harry and Ginny sat on the bed trying to come to terms with the evening's events. Harry looked severely dejected, his head hanging down, shoulders hunch. Ginny eyed him with great concern. Harry always took to blaming himself she knew. Ginny seethed with anger at her brothers. Never had she felt more dislike for every single one of them, she couldn't believe that they could actually feel they had the right to speak to Harry the way they had.

"Harry" Ginny whispered. Could you please hold me...? I could really use a hug right about now."

Harry sidled back against the headboard and opened his arms for Ginny to cuddle into. "I'm sorry Gin; I never wanted to disrupt your family."

"It's not your fault Harry. Those berks of brothers of mine have stuck their noses in where they don't belong. You have nothing to be sorry for."

They sat in silence, enjoying the closeness and warmth of each other.

There was a soft knock on the open door as Arthur pocked his head in. "Would you two please join Molly and me in the kitchen."

Harry glanced into Ginny's eyes for a second before looking over at Arthur. "Uh, sure thing Mr. Weasley" he replied with some trepidation. Ginny slid forward off the bed and turn toward Harry offering her hand to help him off the bed.

They descended the stairs hand in hand, wondering what would be the outcome of the past hour. Ginny looked around and seeing only her parents asked "Where is everyone?"

Molly was busy at the stove making tea and some light snacks, banging the pots and kettle much harder than necessary. It was obvious that she was still struggling to control her anger.

"Your mother thought it best if they were not here for a while" Arthur said with a grim smile on his face.

Molly gave a humorless laugh and added "I threw them out of the house!"

Ginny and Harry sat up with a start. Looking at one another with confusion etched on their faces.

"Mrs. Weasley" Harry started.

Molly cut him off "Don't you worry about it Harry, they had it coming. I can't believe that my sons would treat anyone the way they tried to treat you. Plus the thoughtlessness of the way they were treating Ginny! There is no excuse for it. I will not tolerate such behavior in my house!"

Harry and Ginny sat there in disbelief. They never expected that Mr. & Mrs. Weasley could do such a thing.

Molly brought the pot of tea and a plate of biscuits to the table. "Harry, Ginny, we'd like to have a talk with you. I know this is going to sound weird but with all that is happening we want to find out about how you truly feel for each other."

Harry and Ginny looked at each other with total bewilderment on their faces. Of all the things that they expected when they came down this was not even on the list.

Taking Ginny's hand in his under the table, "Um, what do you wish to know" stammered Harry.

"Harry, do you care for Ginny?" asked Molly.

"Yes Mrs. Weasley".

"How much? And you can call me Molly, dear."

Harry glanced at Ginny before answering. "I can truthfully say that I love your daughter with every fiber of my being. I love her, she is my life, my reason for going on, and I don't know what I'd do without her Molly.

Molly turned to Ginny. "Ginny dear, how do you feel about Harry?"

"Mum, I love Harry more than I can say, more than life itself. I'd lay down my life for him if I had to." Ginny replied emphatically "He is my world, I'd do anything for Harry without hesitation, without reservation."

Molly smiled at them both, "I thought so." she said.

Harry and Ginny sat in stunned silence. They kept glancing at each other. Not believing what was happening, like they were in some kind of dream.

Arthur sat at the head of the table, paging through the Daily Profit humming a tune that Ginny swore was Young Love.

Molly finished her mug and stood up. With a grin at Ginny and Harry she said "I want you two to stay here while I take care of a few things."

Harry turned to Ginny and whispered "Do you have any idea what's going on?"

Ginny shrugged her shoulders and answered "I have no idea."

They noticed Arthur peeking over the paper with a huge grin on his face while he kept on humming.

A short while later Molly returned down stairs with the same grin on her face. "All right you two, it's getting late so off to bed with you."

As they started up the stairs they heard Arthur ask Molly "All arranged?"

"Yes dear" was her succinct reply.

Harry and Ginny reached the second floor landing. Harry turned to Ginny and gave her a quick kiss. "Good night my love"

"G'night love" Ginny replied.

They both turned toward their respective doors across the hall from one another. Harry opened his door and stopped dead, all his things were gone, his trunk, clothes, books, everything. He turned in confusion back toward Ginny who he noticed standing in the doorway to her room. A stunned look plastered on her face.

"Ginny, all my stuff is missing!"

"No it's not" was her soft reply.

"What? Yes it is; it's not in my room."

"That's because it's in mine."

"What?"

"Look for yourself if you don't believe me."

Harry stepped across the landing and looked over Ginny's shoulder in stunned disbelief. Ginny's room had been transformed; her single bed had been widened to a queen size four poster with a lace canopy over it. Harry's trunk was at the foot of the bed and his clothes and things were put away on the shelves along the wall. Ginny turned to Harry with her mouth hanging open. Harry was just as dumb-struck as Ginny.

Neither noticed Molly and Arthur ascending the stairs behind them.

"Ginny, Harry" Molly said. "Under normal circumstances this would not be happening, but, well there is a war on. Who knows what tomorrow may bring. I remember in the last war, many were lost, my brothers among them. Fabian had a girl he loved but never got to be with her because of convention. I will not make the same mistake. You love each other; enjoy all the time you can because it may be gone in an instant."

"Harry" Arthur added. "Cherish her, love her, and keep her in your heart. I know you'll take good care of her."

"But what of the boys?" said Harry.

"You just leave them to us" replied Arthur.

Molly looked at Ginny with love in her eyes. "I know you are both kind of young, but do not let that get in the way of your happiness. I know you love one another, don't rush into anything but don't hold back if you feel things are right. Good night"

With that Molly and Arthur left Ginny and Harry standing in the doorway to Ginny's, no their room.

Ginny shyly reached out and took Harry's hand and lead him into the room. "Come love, it's been a long day and I'm tired. Let's go to bed."

Ginny removed her dressing gown and turned down the bed covers, sitting on the edge of the bed. She glanced down at her old night gown and looked up at Harry and said with a grin on her face "If I'd known this was going to happen I'd have put on something a little more enticing."

Harry turned to his clothes and found his pajamas. He turned and looked at Ginny with a strange look on his face. "Do you want me to go to the loo to change?"

Ginny flipped around onto her stomach and with a mischievous grin said "What fun would there be in that?"

Blushing, but returning Ginny's grin with one of his own "None what so ever." he replied cheekily. He pulled his shirt over his head which enticed a "UMMMM" from Ginny. He kicked off his trainers and socks, unbuckled his belt and dropped his trousers to the floor along with his boxers. Occupied with putting on his pajama bottoms he heard a sharp intake of breath from Ginny. Looking up and catching her eye, it was her turn to blush at Harry.

Harry came over to the bed and slid in next to Ginny. He put his arm around her and pulled her into his body. He felt her tense slightly but felt her relax when he did nothing further. Ginny turned on her side and rested her head on Harry's shoulder while laying her top hand on his chest.

Ginny's hair spilled out in a wave over his body and he inhaled deeply of her smell. A smile came across his face as her reveled in the intoxicating aroma. Harry never felt so happy in his whole life. He kissed the top of her head as she lay cuddled up next to him.

"It's been a long day sweetheart; I hope you aren't disappointed if we just sleep tonight."

Ginny visibly relaxed, "I'm tired and we have a lot to discuss before we take things any further" she replied.

"Good night my love" Harry said. "Good night love" Ginny whispered.

Soon both drifted off to sleep, wondering about all that had happened that day.

Bill sat back in stunned disbelief, his hand glued to his cheek that stung with the echo of his mothers slap. Never, never had one of their parents ever struck one of the children. In all their years of growing up, with all the misdeeds perpetuated by the seven Weasley children had either parent raised a hand to one of them. This more than anything else punctuated the enormity of what they had wrought. "What have we done?" he said in a stunned whisper.

One by one the Weasley boys stood and looked first at Bill and then at one another. "Shite..." said Fred. "We've really done it this time, haven't we?" George agreed in a low voice, "Yeah we've really stepped in it. I had my reservations but didn't say anything. Kind of wish I had now"

Ron looked on in a dazed kind of way. "Where the bloody hell am I going to go...?" he moaned.

Fred and George looked first at one another and then at Ron, "Guess you'd better come back to the shop with us" George said.

Charlie just stood there with a look of grim determination on his face. Shaking his head he started walking slowly towards the gate and the Apparition point just beyond. Percy kept walking around in small circles kind of mumbling to himself. "We are in such trouble!" He murmured as he too made his way past the gate.

Bill was the last to make his way past the gate so he could apparate back to Shell Cottage. "Shaking his head he mumbled to himself. "Boy that sure didn't go as planned."

Disclaimer: JKR owns Harry Potter and his Universe etc. etc. etc. You know what goes here.

A/N:Got his idea from something I read but taking the story in the total opposite direction. I'd give credit to the original author but I can't remember who it was. Anyone who knows please let me know so I can give them credit.

I'd also like to acknowledge the help of and give a big thank you to my beta SisterGryffin-SisterSlytherin.