Nexus

New Story! FFNandAO3

Seeing things through another’s eyes often gives us a new appreciation for the things we hold dear. Interacting with Cho and Dean give Harry and Ginny a new appreciation for their lives after the war and each other.

Happy birthday to my very first fandom friend! @thisismegz

Meg, I can’t believe it’s been been five years and I’m so happy that you reached out and shared your ideas with me. You’re one of my favorite people and I hope your birthday is full of all the best things! I hope this little story makes your birthday just a little more special! Love you, darling!

Nexus

Chapter 1

Cho took a seat at the table while Stephen went to the bar to get them drinks. She and Stephen had decided on an unconventional honeymoon - three months traveling across the world while Stephen worked. Stephen was an international business consultant and had mapped out his next three months so the two of them could see a large chunk of the world. He’d called it time for her to heal, and heal she had. Steven made her laugh, made her want to live, to smile, to look forward to the future. And sitting at the hotel bar in San Francisco, Cho was happy.

Which was good, because she’d just seen someone she thought the sight of might pull out every terrible and awful memory in her.

Harry Potter stood at the bar.

Thankfully the sight of him didn’t up-end her happiness, which was a relief. It was then she realized he was talking to a woman, a blonde woman.

Hadn’t Harry been with Ginny?

Cho watched as the blonde woman batted her eyes at Harry, flipping her hair over her shoulder. Harry could do better than a woman who was just attracted to his accent and the fact that he was from a different country. Then again, if he’d let Ginny get away maybe he didn’t deserve better.

“Here, love.” Stephen slid into his seat and set her drink down with a kiss on her cheek. Then he caught her eye. “Everything alright?”

“Yes, I just know him.” She gestured towards Harry.

“From where?” Stephen linked their hands.

“School.” Cho shrugged and let out a long breath. That word brought more pain than seeing Harry did.

Stephen shifted his chair to be able to wrap his arm around her shoulders. “Was the woman at your school too?”

Cho went to say no, but a bright streak of red caught her eye, a streak that threw her right back to Quidditch matches and trying to out maneuver one of the best Seekers she’d ever flown against.

“Yeah.” Cho smiled as Ginny slid into Harry’s arms and the blonde woman quickly retreated. Harry whispered something in Ginny’s ear and they both laughed. His lips brushed hers briefly as his arms kept her close.

“Do you want to say hello?” Stephen’s arms tightened against her, holding her up both literally and figuratively.

Cho watched as Ginny and Harry talked easily at the bar, and caught sight of the ring on Ginny’s hand as she linked her wrists behind Harry’s neck. They were happy, and if she knew anyone who deserved to be happy, it was Harry and Ginny.

“No, I don’t want to intrude.” Cho rested her head against Stephen’s shoulder. “Besides, it’s our honeymoon, and tomorrow you promised to take me to the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory.”

“Then you should finish your drink so we can head upstairs.” Stephen smirked at her as he picked up his glass. “Big day after all. We’ll need plenty of rest.”

Cho laughed and within a few minutes let Stephen lead her up to their room.

Harry watched them go and smiled.

“I’m glad Cho seems happy.” Ginny threaded her fingers with his.

“Me too, she deserves to be happy after the hell we all went through.” Harry leant against the bar and pulled Ginny flush against him.

“You do too, Harry.” Ginny kissed him lightly before pulling back.

Harry gave her arm a sharp tug to pull her back, shifting his hands to cradle her face and allow him to deepen the kiss.

“I’m happy with you.” He murmured before losing himself in her flowery intoxicating scent again.

“Maybe we should…” Ginny fisted his shirt in her hands and pulled him forward.

Harry smirked against her before pulling away to lead them up to their room, only running into the wall three times in the journey.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 2

Dean took a deep breath as he looked at the door to the tent in front of him.

“It’ll be fun, mate.” Seamus put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

That was easy for him to say. He’s kept contact with everyone over the years, especially Harry and Ginny. Dean was honestly shocked to have received the invite at all, let alone a spot in the VIP section and boxed seats. Sure he’d been a part of Dumbledore’s Army, but after the battle he’d cut ties with everyone but Seamus. He hitched rides across the world and spent five years working through the trauma and chaos in his brain as he saw countries he’d only ever read about. The last two of those five years had been the ones that counted though.

Those two had included Valeria.

He’d met her in Mexico City and after six months of her showing him around her home country, she’d decided she was going to follow him to the next one, and the one after that. And then somewhere along the way, they were setting up homes in Mexico and England and Dean let his past go in order to embrace this amazing life that he’d created with Valeria.

But being here now, this was his past coming back, and Dean didn’t know if he was ready.

“Dean?” Valeria took his hand.

“Right, sorry.”

“Todo estará bien.” She squeezed his hand and he took strength in her words as he followed Seamus and his wife, Maeve, forward.

The Potter’s tent was enormous inside, obviously picked out specifically to be the place to host their old group. Dean felt the guilt hit fast as he saw faces he hadn’t seen in sixteen years.

And then he saw Ginny.

The guilt hit harder there. He wished he’d been better to her. They had been teenagers and he could look back and appreciate where they’d both made bad decisions, but he still felt guilty for how miserable they’d made each other.

“Dean! Seamus! Maeve!” Ginny ran over with a smile he couldn’t ever remember seeing on her face. “I’m so glad you made it.” She then pulled Maeve into a tight hug. “I’ve missed you! Why did you move all the way to Ireland?”

Maeve laughed. “Ireland pays their Quidditch coaches better. And we’re closer to family.”

Ginny gave a huff before turning back to Dean. “And who is this beautiful lady?”

“This is my wife, Valeria.” Dean kicked himself for being not only out of it, but rude also. “Valeria, this is Ginny Potter.”

Valeria shook Ginny’s hand. “It’s so nice of you to invite us. This has been a wonderful experience.”

Ginny went to answer when Harry stepped up behind her and wrapped his arm around her waist. “We’re glad you could come. I’m Harry, Ginny’s husband. Mucho gusto de conocerle, Valeria.”

Ginny’s smile increased further and something Dean had never realized seemed to dawn on him in that moment. She hadn’t been happy with him because he wasn’t Harry. Just like he hadn’t been happy with her because she wasn’t Valeria. They hadn’t been right for each other, though at sixteen he couldn’t see that. But the realization pulled the drain on all the residual guilt he’d held, and for the first time since he had arrived in Argentina, Dean felt like he could breathe.

He also realized he’d completely missed what his wife and the Finnigan’s had been saying to the Potter’s.

“We’re glad we could come too.” Dean smiled as he shook Harry’s hand. “It’s been too long.”

Ginny nodded and gestured around the tent. “That’s why we decided to do this. We needed a good reason to bring us all back together.”

“Hannah and Neville have created some drinks for the occasion too,” Harry gestured to one side of the tent where Dean saw a small group of people he’d once felt as close to as his half-siblings. “Go say hi and grab something to drink and enjoy the afternoon. We’ll head over to the boxes about thirty minutes before the match starts.”

“Now we’re talking,” Seamus pulled their little group forward and Ginny laughed and waved them forward.

“I honestly didn’t think he’d come.” She leant back into Harry as she watched the gorgeous Valeria whisper to Dean as they walked away. He was smiling again, looking down at her like she was everything.

The way Ginny knew Harry looked at her.

“I told Seamus to work his magic, and it helped that Dean and Valeria were in Mexico already.” Harry kissed her temple and Ginny closed her eyes as she leant into it.

“Maybe we could take the kids to Mexico, ask Dean and Valeria for good places to visit.”

“I think they’d enjoy that. Why not invite Dean and Valeria and their kids along?”

“I don’t want to scare them away. This is the first contact they’ve had with anyone from school outside of Seamus and Maeve.” Ginny watched Dean slowly settle in. “I worry it’s me that’s kept him from the rest of his friends.”

Harry pulled her flush against him. “You know that isn’t true. Dean is too good for that. And so are you.” His lips touched her cheek and Ginny smiled.

“You’re right. I just want us all to be happy. We deserve to be happy.”

“You deserve to be happy.” Harry slowly spun her around and kissed her. Ginny melted into his kiss and was just realizing that they should probably ease up when…

“Ew! Dad! Mom! Not again!” Ginny laughed as Harry pulled away.

“Jamie, do you want to meet Victor Krum?”

“Well, yes, but-”

“Then kindly stop shouting at your mother and me.”

Jamie grumbled but dutifully quieted, though their guests were already laughing at the display.

“We’ll pick that up later, yeah?” Harry spoke against the shell of her ear.

Ginny indulged herself and turned to kiss him further. Everyone was already laughing with them, and with all their old friends around them, Ginny couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate.

Constellate

New Story! FFNandAO3

Battles end. Wars are won. But some feelings don’t ever change.
A Harry/Ginny Post-War story for the fabulous LilyEvansJan30! Love you, darling!

Constellate

Ginny frowned.

“What do you mean I can’t leave?”

“We’re very sorry ma'am. But you’ll need to wait until we’ve been given clearance to let patrons out.”

Ginny pushed down the anger that was simmering up to a boil. “Can I at least have my wand back?”

It had only been a few weeks since the defeat of Voldemort, and the Ministry hadn’t managed to undo all of the policies from the regime, like only Ministry employees being able to keep their wands while at the Ministry - a policy put into effect after three fugitives broke into a pink toad’s office - and it had yet to be reversed.

Ginny secretly suspected that there were still Voldemort sympathizers deliberately turning blind eyes that Kingsley needed to fish out.

“Hey, Gin,” Harry stepped up behind her. “I didn’t know you were at the Ministry today.”

Ginny smiled at Harry, for once hoping that Harry’s unwanted star status would get her out of this one.

“Hi Harry, I was just trying to get my wand and head out but I’ve been denied.”

Harry’s expression went dark as he turned on the witch behind the counter.

“Why won’t you give Ginny her wand and let her leave?”

The witch looked warily at Harry but held her ground. “No one can leave right now, Mr. Potter. There was a threat sent to the Ministry and until the Aurors clear us to let people out we’re not to let anyone in or out.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Harry shook his head. “I just came from the Aurors’ offices and no one was acting like a threat had been issued.” He turned to Ginny. “Want to come back with me? Find out what’s going on?”

“Of course,” Ginny looked back at the witch. “May I at least have my wand?”

“I’m sorry ma'am, but I can’t return a wand until the patron has been cleared to leave the Ministry.”

Harry bristled. “I just signed all the paperwork to join the Aurors, I’m an employee of the Ministry and would like my wand.”

“I’m sorry Mr. Potter, but until that paperwork makes it to me I can’t give you back your wand.”

Ginny grabbed Harry’s arm as she saw the tell tale signs that Harry was about to lose his temper.

“Let’s go see Kingsley. He’ll sort everything out for us.”

Harry looked down at her hand on his arm and Ginny felt how much she’d missed him over the last year rushing through her.

“Come on,” Harry nodded, not giving the witch behind the counter another glance.

Ginny moved to match his fast pace towards the lifts.

“How’s Birmingham?” She asked in reference to his new flat.

Harry chuckled as the doors closed and they began to descend to the Aurors’ level. “Nice, being in the Muggle world keeps most of the Wizarding Press at bay.”

“It’s quiet with you and Ron and Hermione not around anymore.” Ginny immediately regretted the comment as Harry flinched. “Sorry, I wasn’t saying you should come back.”

Harry shook his head. “I just don’t want you to think I’m walking away from all of you.”

“I don-”

The doors opened, cutting her off as Harry walked out into the corridor.

“Hey, Gawain,” Harry called to a man with gray hair walking out of an office. “I just got told I can’t leave because of a threat to the Ministry.”

The man turned with a sigh and nodded. “We had a howler show up in Kingsley’s office saying that the next person who left would set off an explosion that would implode the building.”

“What do you need me to do?”

Gawain shook his head, “I can’t give you an assignment until everything’s processed for your hiring.”

“You have got to be kidding me,” Harry fisted his hand in his hair.

“Is Kingsley here?” Ginny stepped up, hoping that Kingsley hadn’t decided to move from his office in the Aurors’ department to the Minister’s office yet.

Gawain shook his head, “He moved out this morning. What brings you here Miss Weasley?”

“I was dropping off paperwork for my dad,” Ginny answered. “Mum had sent our owl off and Dad said the forms couldn’t wait.”

Gawain nodded and turned back to Harry. “I understand your frustrations but until Kingsley and I can get these mandates changed my hands are tied.” He put his hand on Harry’s shoulder. “It’s slow going, but don’t give up on us, we’re going to fix all this, you’re part of that Harry.”

Harry nodded but Ginny saw the tension building in Harry’s shoulders and neck.

“Is there a place we can wait until you’ve sorted everything out?” Ginny put her hand back on Harry’s arm, hoping it would have the same results it had in the Atrium.

The same result her touch had when they’d been together.

Gawain turned his attention to her and gestured down the hallway. “Harry and your brother’s office, it’s theirs, even if the paper pushers haven’t managed to lift a finger.”

Ginny pulled on Harry’s sleeve. “Thank you, Gawain, and if you happen to find out Harry can get his wand back, let us know.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Gawain nodded and then continued the way he’d been going.

“Why don’t you show me your office? Is Ron here too?” Ginny gave his arm a firmer tug and Harry finally turned with a frustrated sigh.

“Ron apparently got out in the nick of time,” Harry moved to a door not too far from the lifts, his and Ron’s names already on the brass plate. “We were here to sign all the paperwork and Ron needed to get to Hermione’s for a date. I let Gawain get Ron through first so he wouldn’t be late.”

Ginny followed him into the office, and looked around. The walls were bare but two desks were set up to face each other and a sofa was set against the wall.

“I’m sure Hermione appreciates the sacrifice,” she sat down on the sofa, “And I’m much happier being here with you than stuck in the Atrium with everyone else.”

That finally earned her a smile.

“I’m glad I’m not here on my own either.” Harry sat down next to her. “Gin-”

“Good evening, Mr. Potter.” A tall woman with black hair stepped in the office and smiled. “Mr. Robards asked me to see if I can order any food brought up for you and your friend.”

“Ah, does Gawain think we’ll be here that long?”

“I’m afraid that in an effort to fix the situation, one of the wizards has managed to lock us all in. They’re trying to undo that and neutralize whatever has been done to the exits.”

“Merlin, what next?” Harry groaned.

“Some dinner would be wonderful,” Ginny looked at the witch. “I’m Ginny Weasley, by the way.”

“I’m Charlene Hopkins, the receptionist here, it’s nice to meet you Ginny. I’ll see what they’ve got in the cafeteria and have something sent up to you. We’ll all feel better after a spot of dinner.”

“Thank you,” Ginny smiled and watched Charlene go. She turned to Harry and patted his knee. “At least we won’t starve.”

Harry didn’t answer, just sat back on the sofa and rubbed his eyes, skewing his glasses.

She let it be quiet for a long while, knowing this wasn’t something she could fix for him. Just like she couldn’t fix that Voldemort would have gone after her had they been together.

But Voldemort was gone.

And Ginny still wanted more than just friendship with the man sitting next to her.

“Harry-”

“Hello Sir, Ma'am.” A House Elf appeared at the door with a large tray floating behind her. “May Popsey bring in your dinner?”

“Yeah, thank you,” Harry stood and took the tray, setting it on the desks. “Do you know if they’ll be letting us go home soon, Popsey?”

“Popsey doesn’t know, Sir, but Popsey can get you what you need.”

“Could you get us to our wands?” Ginny hoped she’d just found a loophole.

Popsey shook her head. “Popsey is sorry Ma'am, but Popsey isn’t allowed to take you to your wand.”

Ginny huffed and looked at Harry. “Was worth a shot.”

Harry gave her a small smile and Ginny almost forgot to be put out with their situation.

“I think we’re set for now, Popsey.” Harry turned back to the elf. “Thank you.”

“Popsey is happy to serve, Sir.” She bowed deeply and then disappeared.

Harry looked down at their food as he fisted a hand in his hair. “They’ll feed us, but Merlin forbid they give us a way to defend ourselves. It’s Umbridge all over again.”

“Hey,” Ginny came to stand beside him. “It’s going to be alright. We’ll be out of here and on our way home before you know it.” She sat down at the desk facing the door and pulled a plate toward her, gesturing to the desk chair across from her. “See, it’s just like when we were in school.”

The smirk found his lips slowly as his eyes locked with hers. “If I remember right, I sat next to you, not across from you.”

Ginny grinned and deliberately shifted the wheeled chair from the center of the desk to the far left. “Well, would you look at that? There might be room for two here.”

Harry’s laughter made her heart soar and she didn’t bother to hide her smile as Harry pulled the other chair around and sat down next to her.

“Want to play a game?” Ginny asked as they tucked in.

“What sort of game?”

“It’s a game Fred and George used to play,” Ginny swallowed the lump in her throat and pushed forward. Fred wouldn’t want her weepy every time she mentioned his name. “You pick a specific place and time and then the other person has to think of the funniest thing that happened to them during that time at that place.”

Harry took a drink before nodding. “So I would say when you were seven at home?”

“Sure. And then I think of the funniest thing that happened to me when I was seven at home.”

“Which was?” There was a glint in his green eyes that had Ginny leaning a little closer to him.

“Sneaking out to the broom shed to try and learn to fly but finding Bill trying to sneak out to see his girlfriend.” Ginny laughed.

Harry laughed.“Did you both just turn a blind eye to each other?”

“No,” Ginny shook her head, “Bill said the girl wasn’t worth it and took me back to my room and told me not to go outside by myself.” She chuckled, “I was furious then, but it’s funny now.”

“Especially because you can fly circles around Bill now.” Harry bumped her shoulder.

“Alright now you.” Ginny bumped him back but smiled. “Fifteen at Hogwarts.”

Harry looked thoughtful a moment before grinning. “Finding out you bat bogey hexed Malfoy.”

Ginny laughed, “You weren’t even there for that.”

“No,” Harry shrugged, “But the mental image made me laugh. Honestly that and your brothers’ exit were probably the highlights of that year.”

Ginny laughed, “See, it’s a good game.”

They played till well after their food was finished and Popsey had collected their empty dishes and brought a tea tray for them. They’d moved back to the sofa when Charlene returned.

“I have bad news.” She stood at the door. “It looks like we’ll be here for a decent bit. I’m not sure of the details, but I just got an internal message saying I might as well tuck in for the night. Do the two of you need anything? My daughter works in Magical Games and Sports and I’m going to head up to her level till we can leave.”

“They think it’ll be tomorrow?” Harry looked like he was about to explode.

Charlene rubbed her brow. “I’m sorry, Mr. Potter, I know this is frustrating, but on the bright side we’re not here alone. You have Miss Weasley with you and I have my daughter.”

Harry stared at her incredulously.

“I think we’re alright, Charlene.” Ginny put her hand back on Harry’s arm.

“Have a good night then,” Charlene gave her a tired smile before moving to the lifts.

Ginny moved and shut the door after her, hoping that if Harry did need a chance to shout he’d be able to do it without the audience of any stray co-workers.

She turned just in time to see Harry kick one of the desks and swear.

“Harry-”

“Sorry, just-”

“Harry, it’s alright, honestly, you’re handling it better than I thought you would.”

“Maybe I should go tell Gawain I’m not interested anymore.”

Ginny scoffed, “From the man who broke up with me to protect me? Be serious, Harry.”

“What choice did I have?!” He turned on her. “Can you imagine what he would have done to you if he’d known? If any of them figured out what we had was more than a fling?! That I cared more about you than I did everything short of defeating Voldemort?!”

“You think I don’t know?!” Ginny stomped up to him. “Do you think Hogwarts was some walk in the park?! I owled Luna and Neville before I ever showed up to school telling them that we were going to paint you and I as a passing fancy! That I needed them to help me make us out as nothing or Voldemort would be able to push you into a corner!”

Harry took a deep breath and gripped the desk in front of him.

“Fine.”

Ginny nearly shoved him. “Really? That’s all you have to say? Fine?” She threw her hands in the air and stomped over to the couch.

Ginny reached for her wand - if she was going to be stuck here all night she might as well have a blanket and pillow - but her hand came up empty.

Oh. Right.

They didn’t have their wands.

“Er…”

Harry turned to look at her, his face still tight with anger.

“Don’t suppose either of those desks has a cot in it? Or maybe a blanket?”

Harry blinked at her, his expression shifting from angry to confused. “What?”

“There’s only the couch, Harry, and we don’t have our wands. If we’re spending the night we’re in a bit of a predicament.”

Understanding dawned on Harry’s face and Ginny nearly laughed as red touched his cheeks. He quickly turned to the desk drawers opening and muttering before slamming them shut.

After shutting the last drawer, he turned around the room slowly before finally facing her again.

“I’ll sleep on the floor. You can have the couch.”

“Don’t be stupid,” Ginny scoffed. “It’s big enough for both of us to sleep sitting up.”

Harry wouldn’t meet her eye and Ginny wondered if he might have found that Veela she’d been figuratively jealous of almost a year ago.

“I’m not going to attack you.” She rolled her eyes and tried to push away the ache in her chest. “And I’m sorry for yelling back at you.”

That finally got a smirk out of him. “That sounds like you aren’t actually sorry for yelling at me.”

Ginny grinned, “When have I ever apologized for shaking some sense into you?”

“Not once.” Harry sat down next to her. “And I wouldn’t change it.”

“Are you less put out, then?” She resisted the urge to scoot closer to him.

Harry sighed, “It’s just been a lot, you know?”

She did know.

“Hey, it’s alright for it to feel like a lot. I mean you just killed a madman that was trying to take over the world. That is a lot.”

Harry stretched his feet out in front of him and leant back. “I think I wanted to see change faster. I wanted to feel like what I did mattered. And this whole thing has made it feel like none of it made a difference. I still can’t have my wand here. This is obviously an assassination attempt on Kingsley. Some idiot up there has made it worse. And I can’t do anything about any of it.”

Ginny couldn’t help it, she scooted closer and put her hand on his thigh. “You have made a difference, Harry.”

He shook his head but Ginny kept pushing.

“Don’t you dare, Harry, don’t you dare think for one second we all risked our lives for this and it meant nothing. Just because it’s slow to start does not mean that you accomplished nothing, that we accomplished nothing!”

Harry grabbed her hand on his thigh and squeezed it. “Merlin, I’ve missed you.”

Ginny wanted to wrap her arms around him but she settled for squeezing this hand in return. “I’ve missed you too.”

Harry didn’t look at her, but Ginny saw the lines in his neck relax and the muscles of his shoulders finally release down.

“We should probably try and get some sleep.” He yawned. “I’ll move to the floor so you can lay out.”

“I’ll hex you if you try to sleep on the floor so I can have the couch.” Ginny glared at him.

“You and what wand?” He grinned.

Ginny couldn’t help it. Maybe it was the tension lifting from him. Maybe it was that they’d been laughing and enjoying themselves less than an hour ago. Maybe it was just falling back into the way she and Harry had been before Voldemort had started his take over. Maybe it was that Harry had always been good at getting her to laugh.

Whatever it was, Ginny dissolved into a fit of laughter.

And Harry quickly followed her.

She didn’t know exactly how it happened, but somehow, Ginny ended up pressed against him, her head resting on his shoulder, his arm draped loosely against her back, his glasses skewed to one side, green eyes staring down at her like they had the day they’d finally kissed each other.

Ginny was sure something had happened to the air, because no matter how hard she tried to breathe, nothing seemed to be getting to her lungs.

“We, er, we should try and sleep.” Harry’s eyes dropped to her lips as her tongue darted out to lick them.

“R-right.” Ginny reluctantly pushed off of him, realizing how cold his office actually was without a blanket or jumper.

She tried to wrap her arms around her and burrow a bit into her side of the couch, but it was to no avail. It was going to be a cold night.

Ginny watched Harry shiver once before he stood and turned off the light. The room was instantly pitch black and she didn’t manage to not laugh when Harry hit the desks in his attempt to return to the couch.

“Like you would have done any better.” Harry laughed with her and Ginny felt the couch move as he sat down.

“I’m part owl, didn’t I ever tell you that?”

“And I’m part dragon,” Harry snorted.

“No, you just have one tattooed on your chest.”

That earned her a full laugh from Harry and Ginny couldn’t help the feeling of pride it gave her.

“Who was it you told that too? I don’t remember.”

“Romilda Vane,” Ginny huffed. “The girl couldn’t seem to fathom why you’d picked me instead of her.”

“Because you actually cared about me.” Harry’s voice was quiet. “And you’re much prettier than she ever was.”

“Thanks.” Ginny’s voice mirrored his tone.

She felt the couch shift and Harry grunted. “You’d think they’d give you control over the temperature of your office. It’s getting colder.”

“They probably expect you to use magic for it.” Ginny shivered too. “Here.” She scooted over to sit right beside him. “If this is alright, it’ll keep us warmer.”

“It’s, yeah, it’s fine.” Harry shifted, pressing their legs together. “Definitely, warmer.”

Ginny rested her head against his shoulder before she could talk herself out of it.

She’dmissedthis.

She shivered again and Harry put his arm around her, pulling her closer.

“This alright?”

Ginny hummed and snuggled into him.

She’d missed this.

His fingers found the end of her point tail, and began running through the soft stands the way he used to.

She’d missed him.

Pressed against Harry, for the first time in months, Ginny felt safe. She felt peace. She felt right.

“Gin?”

It was muscle memory. In her tired state, all bemused in the past mixing with the present, skewing her thoughts to places that no longer existed, Ginny turned her face towards him and brushed her lips against his.

Then she froze as she realized what she’d just done.

Ginny tried to manage even a stutter of an explanation, but never got the chance as Harry followed her lips, pressing her back against the couch as he made her display in her bedroom before Bill’s wedding look like child’s play.

Harry’s kiss was near desperate as his body pinned her to the couch. His lips and teeth both caressed and plundered her mouth, spurred on by the sounds each feeling pulled from her. Then he found the spot behind her ear and she melted, just like she had when they’d been together.

Harry capitalized on her malleable state and shifted them flat on the couch.

“Merlin, I’ve missed you.” Was the only conscious thought she could manage to vocalize as her body wanted to surrender to the oblivion that being with Harry like this always was.

“Me too.” He kissed along her neck as she tangled her fingers in his hair.

“Are we going to skip the conversation and pick up where we left off?” Ginny tugged on his hair when he bit down on her pulse point.

“We should probably have that conversation,” he smirked above her.

“Later.” Ginny pulled him back down to her, deliberately pressing herself into him and smirking at his groan.

It was when Ginny thought the room was heating up and perhaps all these clothes weren’t as necessary as propriety dictated that someone knocked on the door.

Harry swore and shifted off of her.

“Just a sec,” Ginny called out as Harry stumbled to his feet, this time not crashing into the desks as he made it to the door and flipped on the lights.

“Sorry if I woke you.” Gawain handed Harry his wand with a tired grin. “Welcome to the Aurors, Harry. And Miss Weasley.” Gawain crossed the room and handed Ginny her wand. “Compliments from the Minister of Magic.”

“Thank you,” Ginny smiled and let the feel of the woods on her palm buzz through her body.

“Did you manage to clear the exits as well?” Harry asked.

“Yes, thankfully that’s sorted and you’re welcome to go home. Kingsley suggested the two of you head to his office and use his Floo access. The queue to leave is already getting ridiculously long.” Gawain nodded to both of them. “Have a good rest of your night.”

“You too, and thank you,” Harry nodded and watched Gawain head to the lifts.

Ginny stood, feeling somehow exposed under the light. “I guess we should get moving too. My parents probably know what happened and they’ll be worried if I don’t let them know where I’ll be now that we can leave.”

Harry looked back at her, his green eyes locking on hers. “Where you’ll be? Did you not want to go home?”

“Is there a Veela waiting at your flat I should know about?”

Finally, finally he smiled, that smile he’d had only for her when she was his. “No, no one’s waiting for me, but I make a pretty good breakfast.”

“That sounds heavenly.” Ginny holstered her wand and threaded her fingers with his. “We can have that conversation while we eat. But right now, let’s get to yours. I’m assuming your bed is bigger and warmer than that couch.”

Harry smiled, his free hand running along her neck as he brought his lips to hers with a kiss that made her breath catch. “Plenty big for the two of us, and I can think of ways to keep us warm.”

And much later, drifting off to sleep with Harry’s arms wrapped around her, no howler from her mother in response to where she’d be for the rest of the night, Ginny felt secure that in the morning their conversation would go about as quickly as it had the first time. Maybe even quick enough for them to enjoy the morning together.

Height Difference

“Potter! Looks like puberty has yet to hit you at age 17?” Harry turned around to look at Malfoy, look up at Malfoy, “Still as short as you were when you were a mere firstie, aren’t you?”

Harry fought the blush coming up on his cheeks, he hated it when Draco teased him about his height. But it was inevitable, with it being one of Draco’s favourite taunts ever since they were dating. Draco was a half a head taller than him and he loved reminding him of it everyday. 

Pushing Draco further from him so their difference wouldn’t be so apparent, he resolved to find a way to grow taller than Draco, or at least lessen their height difference, they had magic for a reason right?

“Watch it Malfoy, your words might come back to bite you in the back!”

 /break\

Harry found himself being put on a vigorous routine by Hermione to facilitate his growth. Sleep at ten sharp and wake up at six, a full eight hours of sleep. Then, laps around Hogwarts ground, jump-roping, followed by a short session of yoga. His meals now contained a healthy portion of proteins, whole grains and vegetables.

He had a feeling that Hermione’s participation in his plan to increase in height was mreo out of motivation for him to shed the abuse from the Dursleys rather than spite Draco. But as long as the end result was that he could gloat about his new height in front of Draco, he didn’t mind and Hermione on his side was always helpful. 

He liked the routine too, it made him feel like there was something to look forward to each day, it helped him cope with the sudden red light the end of the war brought to him. Don’t get him wrong, Voldemort dying was great, but with the last year being filled with a marathon of one death threat after another, when everything stopped he felt restless. This was good for him, plus he was getting ripped.

/break\

A month and a half into this new muggle-wizard mixed routine and he was seeing progress already, mentally and physically. Harry Potter was no longer the scrawny boy who wandered into Hogwarts halls seven years ago, he had finally grown into his body.

Casting a spell to measure his height again, he sighed, looking at the same number that had been staring at him for the past week or so. Hermione had told him that the growth spurt would stop at some point of another, and he was fine with it, if the height he stopped at was taller than Draco. 

But luck was yet again not on his side, he was an inch shorter than Draco, which meant he needed at least two more inches to have a notable height difference than Draco. Damn.

Carrying his books, he set off towards the library, hoping to catch Hermione on one of her many visits there to ask for any more pointers that could help him gain the last few inches he needed.

“Harry! Wait!” Stopping in his steps towards the library, he saw Ginny coming out of the Gryffindor dorms. “ You’ve stopped growing.”

“ A very rude way to start a conversation, but yes thank you for pointing that out.” Harry replied, irritated that someone had pointed it out to him, was it that obvious?

Rolling her eyes at him, Ginny thrust a bottle of green liquid towards him, “ You’ve been trying to out grow Malfoy at height right? And I’ve kept an eye out for your progress, you haven’t grown at all in the last week.”

“Is there a point to this conversation or are you just going to continue upsetting me?”

“ This is a growth potion, it’ll help you gain like two, three inches instantly. That’s what you need right? A few more inches to be taller than Malfoy?”

“Why do you have this? Why didn’t Hermione give it to me first place?”

“ It isn’t exactly the best option to go for, the Ministry banned it some time ago. There’s an ingredient inside that might cause hallucination if you have too much of it. That’s why it was banned. People wanted to grow taller desperately and over-consumed, But you won’t do it, yeah?”

“ Yea…yea, i survived Voldemort… I’m not dying because of some stupid potion. But why?”

“ Harry, you’re like a brother to me and now that you’re dating Malfoy, I can’t directly assault him. So this is me, assaulting his ego through making you taller than him, like a side ‘fuck you’!”

/break\

He paced in the abandoned classroom he had asked Draco to meet him at. After ingesting the potion Ginny had given him and marvelling at the effects it brought, he had immediately asked Draco to meet him here to gloat.

He couldn’t decide on the one-liner to use to show-off his new height, there were just so many options. But apparently he didn’t have time to make a choice, Draco had arrived. And without a solid line to go on, Harry decided he would just stand and let Draco stare.

And stare Draco did, Draco stared up at him, a memory that Harry needed to possess forever. But he didn’t seem too bothered by the fact that Harry was taller than him, in fact Draco maintained that same ol in infuriating smirk on his face, sauntered over to him and planted a firm kiss on his lips.

Leaning down into the kiss, Harry marveled at the need to lean down to kiss Draco, but he was confused, why wasn’t Draco more concerned with the new difference in height?

Slightly reeling from the spectacular kiss he was given, Harry watched doe-eyed as Draco pulled a potion out from his pockets?

The potion was green and looked exactly liked the one Ginny had gifted him. No, no,no. He watched horrified as Draco gulped down the potion and grew exactly three inches taller. 

No.

No fucking way. 

“ You really thought that you could be taller than me Potter?” Draco’s smirk seemed to grow larger as Harry had to look up him again, “ I had a back-up plan all along, I overheard Ginerva’s plan to give you the potion and decided that it would be smart to have one myself.”

“No.”

“Yes, Harry. But I must say I am appreciating your new physique.”

Pissed off that he would be stuck shorter than Draco forever, he pouted petulantly at his boyfriend. Well, he tried to pout at his boyfriend, before his lips were captured in a kiss by said boyfriend, before he had to tilt his head up to kiss said boyfriend again.

Damn it.

(if anyone has prompts please send them to me! my box is open! and im bored in quarantine)

Draco x Muggle Pop

Hermione: What’s Draco doing?

Harry: (sighs) I introduced him to muggle pop, specifically Billie Eilish and now he won’t stop.

Draco: (turns around, teartracks stained black from his recent reenactment of when the party’s over) i just kinda wish you were gay:(

*silence*

Hermione: He knows you’re married right?

Heights and Husbands

Harry potter was afraid of heights. He used to love the feeling of being above everything, sitting on top of the Dursleys’ house , the wind in his face, blowing away every worry he had. He loved it even more when he discovered quidditch, the rush of flying was indescribable, it used to thrill him every single time he rose up to the sky. 

But slowly, heights became something like a taboo. The escape from privet drive, Hedwig dying, Moody dying. The astronomy tower, Dumbledore dying. The numerous escapades during the horcrux hunt on brooms (and dragons), more people dying.

He wasn’t scared of the heights, he was scared of what the heights brought, death mainly (nightmares too). No one commented on his reluctance to play quidditch after the war, or on the fact that he stopped doing his daily laps around the pitch. When he graduated, there were questions asking if he would pursue a professional quidditch career, he denied all of the offers, choosing to take a few years off with his boyfriend Draco. 

His Husband Draco, he corrected himself with a contempt smirk on his face. Draco was the one beautiful thing he had with life for a long time. After the war, they depended so heavily on each other that it raised many eyebrows, but Harry didn’t carry he loved Draco with everything he had.

He turned his head over to face Draco, absorbing the absolute beauty that is his. Today was the second to last day on their honeymoon before they would go back to magical Britain and take up their promised positions as professors at Hogwarts. Today was also the day that Draco had taken up full responsibility for planning, not that he didn’t plan the days before as well, but today he insisted on it, refusing to let Harry in on any of the details.

Musing on what his husband could be up to, he absently traced his fingers along the spine of Draco’s, slowly rousing him to begin their day together.

He was excited for today, and Draco took forever to get ready.

 /break\

It was around two when Draco gave his odd request of blindfolding him, he obliged, of course, the morning was spent perfectly already and he couldn’t wait to see what else Draco had planned. He happily allowed Draco to tie the blindfold around his eyes and apparate him away. 

Instantly, something in him shifted, it was as if the location had triggered a warning system inside of him. The wind in his face, the unsteadiness in his footing, he was way above ground and he did not like it one bit. 

He could feel his blindfold being slowly taken off as Draco came to wrap his arms around him, steadying him. His suspicions were proven to be correct as he surveyed his environment around him. 

A thin bridge connected the two mountains, beneath it a beautiful blue lagoon flowed peacefully. He appreciated the view very much so, but as he saw someone plummeting to the water from the bridge, he immediately reached towards his wand to cast an arresto momentum. 

Before the spell could come out of his mouth, he felt his husband’s hand on his, as he whispered into his ears, “wait.”

He obliged his husband, hoping that there wouldn’t be any death today, Draco wouldn’t let someone die…right?

Focusing on the person instead of the memories that come with the situation, he realized that there was a rope tied around their feet. Was this some weird muggle torture devise invented when he was in the wizarding world?

Why did Draco bring him here? Didn’t he know he hated heights? They were on their honeymoon for god’s sake!

And then it all clicked, it was a bungy jump. Something that he had long crossed off his bucket list once fifth year ended, his eyes zeroed in on the sign on his right, the Bloukrans Bridge, Western Cape, South Africa.

Draco loosened his grip on his arms once he realized that the statue was not going to be broken and shifted on his feet nervously. 

“Why…did you bring us here?”

“The war took something away from you and replaced it with fear. Harry you love flying. Don’t give me that look I know you do. And the war took that away from you, Remember how we used to have seeker matches on the pitch and… I’m not going to force you if you don’t want to but I know you miss flying… and I know you can bring yourself to go up…and so this is me offering to do it together…conquering your childhood dreams and your teenage nightmares?”

And he was right, Draco was always right. Harry longed to fly again, he longed to fly again without the screams plaguing him. And maybe this was the way?

“I know it may seem it be sudden, the whole plunging towards the water affair… but I thought we could approach this Gryffindor-style, you know? Going all in without regard for absolutely anything? Your style?”

Harry smirked at the subtle jab at him. 

“There’s even a couple packages if you’re up for it?”

Shakily, Harry took Draco’s hand and pulled him to the counter, signing them up for the highest jump of them all.

“That one Harry? Are you sure your frail heart can take that?”

“Gryffindor-style, right? Scared Malfoy-Potter?”

“You wish Potter-Malfoy!”

Harry: Draco, we need to talk

Draco: Really? What’s wrong Harry?

Harry: I just got a call from Teddy’s school, he’s being teaching the kids to say ‘shit’

Draco: Oh that wasn’t me, I say 'fuck’

Fic Rec #751

Foxfirebysetissma 

Hermione x Draco Malfoy x Harry Potter

Ghosts weren’t meant to be dangerous, they’d said. Ghosts were kind, friendly creatures who taught you History of Magic or celebrated their Death Day in the Great Hall to much cheering and applause. Ghosts gave you important hints. No witch or wizard ever told their child scary ghost stories, because the idea was less threatening than the idea of doxies in the curtains. The things that people had done to other people in the last decade far outweighed any heightened sense that there might be something more than met the eye. Ghosts were harmless. Benevolent. Typically quite cheerful.

Unfortunately, they had gotten it wrong.

COMPLETE: Chapters: 4 - Words: 89,823