Chapter Text
As Ginny was leaving the hospital wing, she found Harry waiting for her just outside.
“Sorry, I would have come in but I thought it best not to after getting in trouble with Madam Pomfrey.” He smiled as they fell into step together.
“You know, you didn’t need to come escort me to the common room.” She remarked, though also trying to settle her racing heart.
“I know, but I wanted to. Besides, we wouldn’t have a chance to talk once you get back. You have four very worried brothers ready to swaddle you in fraternal affection.”
Ginny grimaced at the idea of being smothered. “If I asked you to protect me from them?”
Harry laughed. “I mean, I could try if you wanted. But I suspect they could just sweep me aside like a cloth covering a door. Not really much of a threat, am I?”
Ginny laughed. “Please, Harry. You killed a giant snake. I think they would take you more seriously than you realize. Besides, there is the life debt to consider.”
Harry paused. “What life debt?”
Ginny blinked. “Did no one explain to you? It’s a debt that is created when one wizard or witch saves another. It’s a magical tradition from the very dawn of the wizarding world, Harry.”
Harry shook his head. “No, but I don’t want to hold such a thing over you. I want us to be friends, Ginny. We can’t be friends if I have some kind of magical obligation hovering over you.”
She gave him a very warm smile. She hadn’t in the least been afraid he would abuse such a privilege, but still it was nerve-wracking owing your life to someone you barely know. “You could ask Mum and Dad for a favor instead. That is permissible. The facts of the matter now are the Potters are owed a favor by the Weasleys.”
They walked in silence for a minute or two. “Alright. I’ll ask you Mum for a large treacle tart and we can all share it.” Harry decided.
Ginny laughed so hard she had to clutch the wall. “Glad to know what my life is worth, Harry. But that is such a you thing to ask for. She’ll be delighted to oblige, I’m sure.”
Harry gave her a grin. “Still, what did they used to do with such a debt?”
Ginny blushed a deep pink. “Umm, many marriages came from such debts. Muggleborn wizards in particular had a hard time finding a witch spouse because fathers were picky who married their daughters. Particularly the Pure-blood families. One way around this was the owing of a life debt. The would-be couple would sometimes stage a saving to ensure the correct wizard could ask the family for the witches hand in marriage.”
“Clever,” Harry smiled. “But I wouldn’t want to do that. After the Dursleys, as much as I want a real family, I would want the love to be real with my future spouse. I wouldn’t want someone just because I saved them. Besides, people aren’t property to give in trade like that.”
Ginny felt her heart race at the earnest expression on his face. If he married her, she realized, the love would be very real. She swallowed back her urge to say such things. They needed to be friends first. She sensed this was very important.
“Thank you for saying that, Harry.” She patted his shoulder. “Some of the Pure-bloods are still acting like that’s very much not the case. I heard the Zabinis approached my parents after I was born to try and arrange an engagement between me and Blaise. Daddy told them where they could shove their blood purity.”
Harry chuckled. “I bet he did. I really respect Mr. Weasley. Ron made him sound so eccentric for a wizard, but he is way more endearing once you get to know him.”
Ginny smiled. “He really liked you too, Harry. You answered all his questions about Muggle things. He asked Mummy about adopting you.”
Harry laughed. “If only. Dumbledore seems insistent that I stay with the Dursleys at least part of each summer.”
They had arrived at the Fat Lady and the entrance to Gryffindor Tower.
Harry sighed. “Well, here we are. I enjoyed our talk together, Ginny. Can we hang out more later? I know Ron and you might fell weird spending so much time together with Hermonie, but we can make time just for the two of us if that’s the case.”
Ginny nodded. “I would love that, Harry. How about we sit together at meals to start and see where we go from there? Maybe if we ease Ron into the idea of a fourth member to your trio, it would go more smoothly and then we can just all spend time together.”
Harry gave her that smile again. She was going to explode soon if she didn’t get away. “Sounds like a plan to me, Gin. Talk to you later.”
He went through first, holding up his hands and saying. “Back, savages. Let her through first before you swarm her.”
Anyone who could talk to her brothers like that was alright in her book. Ginny stepped through the door and was surrounded by her brothers. She saw Harry give her a wink as he took a seat next to Hermonie.