Harry and Ginny followed Bill into the Hospital Wing with Fawkes and Dolfia still on their shoulders. No one noticed them at first, thanks to Bill jogging over to see Fleur, and the soft kiss they shared. It was Neville who noticed the Phoenixes first. Hermione, with her back to the door, had been asking him a question only to have Neville's eyes widen and mouth drop open. Hermione had turned, gasping loudly. That drew everyone's attention to the smiling couple.
"Puff shed," Ginny grinned as she handed Harry two Galleons. "Missed it by four seconds."
"You're forgetting something," Sirius held out his hand, looking smug.
"Yeah, yeah," Ginny grumbled tossing another Galleon to him.
"G...Gin...Ginny? What..." Molly started before fainting. Arthur catching her before she fell to the floor.
"HA!" Ginny cheered. "Pay up, Bill!"
Bill frowned handing her a small bag. "Next time," he grunted.
"You wish!" snickered Ginny. Arthur stifled a laugh as he revived Molly. He helped her over to a bed to sit on before he turned his attention back to his sons.
"Just what in the name of Merlin and Gryffindor is going on?" asked a very confused Ron.
"Well, my normally clueless brother," Fred started.
"It would seem to be bets," George continued.
"That we were left out of..."
"By our beloved bonded couple..."
"And our big brother..."
"And Harry's godfather..."
"Having something to do..."
"With the very regal..."
"And majestic birds..."
"On their shoulders!" they informed Ron in unison.
"I got that much," Ron groused. "But what are you doing with Phoenixes?"
"They chose us as familiars," Harry shrugged as Marie and Luna were crooning over Fawkes.
"Familiars?" shouted Molly. "You...they...?"
"Yes, mum," Ginny rolled her eyes. "They chose us."
"But...but..." Molly crashed onto the bed behind her again.
"We keep this up, love," Harry joked, "and we're gonna break her."
"And me," Bill grumbled again, handing Harry four Galleons. "Fleur, remind me never to bet these two again." Fleur only nodded as she giggled.
Harry and Ginny entered a silent Great Hall the next morning. They looked around to see everyone was either pale and staring at nothing or reading the paper with wide eyes and open mouths. Hermione sat in what looked like a state of shock as they sat across from her. George was reading Hermione's paper as Fred stared at the High Table. Hermione blinked suddenly.
"Why didn't you say anything?" she asked in a hollow-sounding voice.
"We were told not to," Harry answered simply as he started filling his and Ginny's plates.
"Not about the arrests..." Hermione started with a frown.
"Leave it, Herm," Ginny warned softly. Hermione looked at her taken aback. "It's done and over with. Neither Harry nor I want to discuss it. Just...don't."
"I..."
"Leave it, Hermione," Ginny glared. She softened after a second. "Please."
"Alright," agreed Hermione weakly.
