Disclaimer: I don't own characters, just the plot.
Chapter 1
"I'm not sure about this, Harry," Ginny said firmly. She stood by the door of their room with her arms crossed, staring Harry down.
"Come on, Gin. I don't like the bloke either, but he's not been so bad lately." Harry brushed off her concern without even a glance in her direction. He's known her long enough to know the exact face she was making, down to the tiny wrinkle line next to her nose that she only had when she was hiding how distressed she was. But she was worrying over nothing. It's not something she normally did but he figured he could handle himself. He was, after all, an auror. And the boy who lived.
"I know you think you're invincible lately after bringing in all those death eaters, but you're not, Harry."
She always seemed to be able to read his mind, "I know, Ginny. I know you're worried. I know why you're worried. But I know it'll be okay. I don't trust Draco, but I trust Kingsley and he's the one who suggested I accept."
Kingsley had been serving as the Minister of Magic since the downfall of Lord Voldemort, and he'd been doing a damn good job. He'd helped repair so many relations between wizarding families. It seemed very much like Lucius Malfoy had no interest in healing any ties, it also seemed as though he was just disinterested in anyone outside of his family though. Maybe out of embarrassment. It's definitely for the best though. It would take a lot for him to regain any trust.
Draco on the other hand, after marring Astoria, had put together a biannual ball. A fund raiser for St. Mungos to research cures for difficult curses and sicknesses. He invited Harry every time but he had yet to accept, figuring it was a mostly being done for appearances. Kingsley finally convinced him that maybe it was more than that. Perhaps he really did want to make amends.
Harry pulled on his dress socks and dug around the closet for his nicer shoes. Ginny didn't want to attend and made it very clear the first time Harry brought it up, but that wasn't going to stop him from going. His love for her was endless but he was still determined to be his own person.
"Just…" Ginny sighed, " just be careful okay. I know he probably won't try anything with all those people there. But remember what he's capable of. Don't be alone with him." She handed him the shoes he was digging for. She always knew where everything was.
"I know I act like a macho asshole, but I promise I'm not going to do anything stupid." He took the shoes from her so he could circle his arms around her and pull her in for a deep kiss. "I just feel like it's important for me to practice what I preach. Maybe it's time to try to rebuild the bridges."
"There were no bridges there to begin with," she laughed, "but I suppose you're not wrong."
"Did you just admit to being wrong?" He sat down on the bed and began to put his shoes on. "I'll have to owl Ron, it's a miracle."
She launched a pillow at his head. "I didn't say I was wrong… Just that you weren't wrong either." She smiled so brightly. It was the smile Harry fell for all those years ago. Even when they were just a bunch of confused teens before he had realized what it was he felt for her.