Chapter 26: 1-2

As we shared stories of our summer—mostly about Dobby and his various attempts to "save" Harry—that nostalgic, delightful house finally came into view.

The Burrow, on the outskirts of Ottery St. Catchpole. How many decades had it been? I felt a lump in my throat, my eyes stinging with tears.

...Though, they were mistaken for tears of terror caused by Mrs. Weasley’s fury.

"Beds empty! No note! Car gone! You could have died, you could have been seen... I’ve been out of my mind with worry!"

The sons, all taller than their mother, stood huddled together. Harry was recoiling in shock.

Ah, how I missed this. This feeling. Soon enough, "I" would be scolded like this too—as a daughter.

Once she had finished shouting, Molly looked at us, her plump cheeks breaking into a kind, dimpled smile.

"I’m so glad you could make it. Harry, dear... and you must be Maria? I’ve heard all about you from these troublemakers."

"You were talking about me?" I asked.

"““Of course we were!””"

The three of them replied in perfect unison, making me giggle. Not just Harry, but they had talked about Maria too... Oh, that made me so happy.

We were led into the dining room and treated to breakfast. Seeing how thin our arms were, Molly kept piling sausages and fried eggs onto our plates until we finally experienced the sensation of being full for the first time in ages. The fact that I was eating my beloved mother-in-law Molly’s cooking again nearly made me tear up all over again.

"Oh, I’m not angry with you two. Maria, dear, did I frighten you?"

"No, no... it’s just, I haven't had a meal like this in so long... it’s so delicious, I’m just happy."

"Oh, you poor thing..."

With tears in her eyes, Molly pulled us into a tight embrace with her soft arms.

"To think... you’re the same age as Ron, and yet you’ve been through so much to end up like this... You’re free to do as you like here. Eat as much as you want. And as for me... well, if you’re alright with it—think of me as another mother."

Harry was bewildered, experiencing such motherly affection for the first time, but I couldn't help myself. I called out to her. Mother Molly.

"Yes, that’s right, I’m Mother Molly. My dear children."

Even though their mother had been "stolen" from them, Ron, George, and Fred all watched with warm, crinkled eyes. This place—The Burrow—was so full of warmth.

The atmosphere shifted instantly when a little girl appeared. A girl in a nightdress, who turned bright red and jumped in surprise—Ginny.

As Ginny vanished back upstairs, Ron added for Harry’s benefit, "She’s a fan of yours."

Ginny... she still loves Harry, doesn't she? I was happy, truly happy, and yet—

I excused myself and headed outside to where Hedwig was resting her wings. She had puffed out her chest, looking satisfied after a full meal. She gave a soft tu-whit, tu-whoo as I interrupted her rest.

"...When you chose Harry back then, I was lonely, but the happiness I felt was so much greater."

I am selfish.

When I buried my face in Hedwig’s feathers, she hooted once more.

As I watched the three Weasley brothers and Harry de-gnoming the garden—swinging the gnomes around to throw them—a pair of feet appeared before me. The small, dainty feet of a young girl.

"Um, are you—Maria Potter? Harry’s..."

"Sister," I said.

"Right, his sister."

Young Ginny fidgeted, but in a clear voice, she asked if she could sit next to me. She was a world away from the girl who had turned scarlet and bolted at the sight of Harry earlier.

As for me, seeing the young form of my former wife made me ache with the urge to hug her and kiss her cheek. No matter the age, my love for Ginny would never fade. Whether a young girl or an old woman, if it were Ginny, I would love her forever.

"I’m Ginny. Ginevra Weasley. I’m a year younger than you, so I start Hogwarts this year. My acceptance letter already arrived. I was so happy I could jump. Last year, when all my brothers got on the train—well, except the two oldest—I was so jealous. I was there on the platform."

I know. I leaned out the window just like everyone else, just to see you, even though I had no one to wave me off—but I couldn't say that. Instead, I gently stroked her head.

"Congratulations, Ginny. I look forward to being with you. Will you be my friend at Hogwarts?"

"Of course! I've heard about you from Ron. That you're reliable, that everyone admires you, that you're close with Harry—and that you're very cute! But... not very 'girly'."

She giggled, her bright brown eyes narrowing, and my heart squeezed.

She was high-spirited, but unlike Hermione, she had a mischievous way of laughing that I had always loved.

"Mum was so happy. We have nothing but brothers in this house, I’m the only girl. She said she always wished at least one of the boys had been a girl. That’s why she’s so glad to have another daughter. Honestly, I wonder how many children Mum wants to add to the family."

I nodded along as Ginny chatted happily. Every single expression was precious to me. This time together was more dear than I could say.

"But, really—since you have red hair too—yours is a deeper red—but, because of that—I mean—"

"Do I feel like an older sister?"

"...Yes."

To the bashful Ginny, I finally gave a gentle hug.

"If—if that’s how you feel, then I want to be your big sister."

"Really?"

"Yes. Harry and Ginny... my cute little brother and sister."

For a moment she looked puzzled, then, realizing what I meant (regarding Harry), her face turned crimson again. "It’s not like that!" she yelled.

Ron and Harry looked back blankly while mid-gnome-toss, and Ginny, unable to take it, hid behind my back. Relying on the person who teased her—that was the cute side of Ginny. It was a trait she would eventually pass down to our daughter, Lily.

"Ginny."

I apologized to her while she pouted with cheeks like little apples. When I opened my arms, she dove back in with a look that said, 'I suppose I have no choice.'

My sweet Ginny. The person "I" loved. I love her even now; my one and only Ginny.

Ginny Potter, the wife of Harry Potter.

And I—am Maria Potter.

Harry will surely fall in love with Ginny. He will love her. He is me, after all; I know he will. And Ginny will continue to look only at Harry.

I knew this. I should have known this all along.

It’s not because I’m a girl now. It’s because... I am not "Harry." For me, who is no longer Harry, there is no future with the Ginny who loves him.

Then, I shall love her as she loves Harry. I will watch over them both. I will cherish the children they will eventually have as if they were my own. Just like he did—like Sirius.

To love someone... your position doesn't matter.

Even if I am not your husband, even if I am not their father—I will keep my eyes on the things I want to protect, the things I want to love.

"I suppose I'll be single for life, then."

"Eh?"

"Nothing. I just thought, Ginny, you’re so cute."

"If I hadn't heard about you from Ron, I’d think you were being sarcastic."

"What? Really?"

We both stood up at the sound of Mother Molly’s voice announcing Arthur’s return. We held hands and laughed together.

To ensure these small hands never get stained with sorrow—I will choose to love this world.