Disclaimer: I (unfortunately) own none of these characters (except for Frieda the squib/realtor). They are the so and explicit property of the great and powerful J. K. Rowling.
It was unreasonably hot for so late in the year. The heat rose in dizzying waves off of the cobblestone streets of Godric's Hollow. The extraordinary height of the temperature had taken its toll on the town's two visitors, bringing them quite to the point where they were ready to return to the at least slightly cooler accommodations of the Burrow.
"There's just one more," Harry pleaded. "Please can we just get it all done today? We've already got the thing scheduled." Ginny grunted noncommittally which Harry decided to take as her consent, however disgruntled, and he took her by the arm and turned on the spot.
Ginny's fingers wrapped tightly in his own were the only thing real to him as they were swallowed by the pressing darkness. Harry felt the sensation of being suffocated; his chest begged for air as they were squeezed through time and space. Just as he thought that this time he might truly explode his lungs expanded gratefully and his feat were once more on solid ground.
They were standing behind a restaurant, vacated and closed for the evening. The place looked out over the rocky shore of Tinworth and was, Harry knew, the small town's only real commercial establishment besides a combination pharmacy and grocery at the town's center (muggle owned).
Ginny's mood seemed to lighten considerably as a rush of cool salty air came off of the water, breaking the hold of the afternoon heat. It was easily 10 degrees colder down by the water, a wonderful attribute during the months of brutal English summer but perhaps more of a punishment than a relief when one considered the long and equally harsh winters that were the summer's eternal companion.
However, Bill and Fleur did nothing but rave about their own location on the outskirts of the town; enough in fact to draw Harry there when searching for his own home. Harry and Ginny had looked here once previously and had found a cottage similar to theirs, lying on the opposite side of town. This cottage was, in fact, the reason for their return. The village was surrounded on three sides my water, a peninsula, which would allow them to potentially live on the water like Bill and Fleur but at a distance great enough to allow them privacy and safety from the relatives.
Because there was no sheltered place where they could safely apparate beyond the restaurant, they would travel the rest of the distance on foot. Though Tinworth was home to a fair number of wizarding families they were not its only inhabitants and there was really no need to startle the blissfully ignorant muggles. Ginny was no longer pouting; relieved by the comforting cool of the ocean and having remembered just how much she had liked this place on their first visit. Excitement quickly possessed her at the idea of a second look at the cottage and a second chance to try to persuade Harry to at least seriously consider making a purchase.
The house was three stories tall, considerably larger than her brothers, and made mostly of weathered stone and white washed paneling. The roof and porch were neatly trimmed with a delicate moulding that looked as if it hade been made with a cookie cutter. The total affect of the cottage made Ginny think of he happy little houses she had once seen as a child in a muggle travel magazine. The caption below the photograph explained them to be on a vineyard island of the east cost of the United States and, to her utter disbelief, claimed that they were made of gingerbread!
The house lay about three miles beyond the town itself yet it was certainly far from isolated. Several other houses lined the street, most of which were homes to families. Hannah Abbot, a Hufflepuff of Harry's year and member of the DA lived just three houses down with her new husband.
When they finally reached the house the realtor was waiting for them just beyond the fence, bouncing eagerly on the balls of her feet. She extended a hand to Harry and he shook it smiling.
"Mr. Potter I presume?" she squeaked, clearly delighted by situation at hand. Harry nodded.
"And you're Frieda." She stared at him open mouthed and beaming, her mouth lolling slightly open as she nodded. Ginny thrust forward her own hand as well.
"Ginny Weasley," she said loudly and the woman took it in turn, blushing wildly at her blatant display of star-stricken rudeness.
"Well," she said her voice now at a slightly more normal pitch as she recomposed herself. "I understand that you have seen the house once before?" Harry nodded. "Good, good! Excellent! Than you are considering a purchase?"
"We'll see," Harry answered, grinning at Ginny.
Now some things you should know about this lovely home: it is, in its entirety, connected to the floo network. This means that each of its three fireplaces can be accessed. There is an apparation charm on the house as well so until it altered or lifted there will be no apparating in or out." They followed Frieda the realtor through the house for a second time and pretended to listen oh so intently as she spoke for nearly half an hour without once employing punctuation of any sort.
"Think she's met many celebrities?" Ginny whispered. "Maybe she'll ask you to sign her Harry Potter poster!" She could hardly suppress the fit of giggles induced by her own hilarity.
"Lay off her," Harry said. "She's cravin' a bit o' connection with our world. I only found her through an old neighbor, she's a squib." Ginny tried very hard to be serious but by now she was beyond help. She quickly excused herself to take another tour alone of the second floor.
"Frieda, you were brilliant! She has no idea!" Harry told the blushing woman. She ran her hands back across her hair, smoothing her neat and shiny bun.
"No! I would say she doesn't!" she agreed. She led Harry to one of the houses only pieces of furniture, a shiny mahogany dining table. There, she spread out her paperwork and Harry proceeded to sign and initial wherever instructed. "Congratulations Mr. Potter! You are now the proud owner of your own home! And quite a lovely one too if I may say so myself!" She handed him a set of keys, a stack of home owner's guides and instruction manuals and the deed to the cottage.
"Thanks mate." Harry grinned at her. "Now er, if its alright id like to er, you know, have a second alone with-"
OH! OH! Of course you would!" Frieda giggled. "I'm as good as gone! If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call!" She talked all the way out the front door, walking backwards so as to keep him in view a bit longer.
"I will" he promised as he followed her outside, smiling and waving from the front walk way..
"Gin!" he called once he was satisfied that the realtor was a safe distance away. "C'mere!" He stashed the papers in his robe pocket and waited, his arms crossed across his chest.
"Yeah?" she said appearing in the doorway.
"C'mere" he beckoned again. She grinned and cantered down the front steps. He wrapped his arms around her and they stood together facing the house. "So what do you think?" he asked, pressing his face against the side of her neck.
"It's perfect" she breathed. Harry could feel her cheeks pull up into a grin.
"Well, see, here's the thing. It's not exactly on the market right now."
She twisted to look at him, her eyebrows raised. "What do you mean it's not on the market? The place is empty and a bloody realtor is going around showing it!"
"Well the owners just now decided that it isn't for sale any more." Ginny's face fell, her disappointment immediately apparent. She turned back to face the house and slumped a little against Harry's chest.
"It's really no for sale?"
"Nope." Harry grinned and rested his chin on the top of her head. "It's not for sale. Because I bought it."
A/N: Please review! I want honnest opinions (however harsh they may be) because quite honnestly, at this point im not sure wheather or not I even like this story. It is quite different from what i would usually do but i am a diehard Harry Potter fan so i decided to give it a go. Thanks for reading.