***A/N*** While this is not strictly AU, per se, it does interject some details that are not from canon and some may choose to label it AU. And if you don't like post-Hogwarts fics that change significant details from canon, you probably shouldn't read this.
18+, HP/GW, HP/SS, HG/RW, slash, character death.
Twice in a Lifetime
Prologue
Harry Potter had been married – happily married – to Ginny for over 2 decades. They had three beautiful children together, the youngest of which was very near the end of her Hogwarts education. He was happier than he thought anyone ought to have the right to be: in his marriage, in his job, and in his life in general.
He was at work when it happened. It was one of the rare days that he spent in the office; being an Auror was generally considered a permanent field assignment. He was pouring over some long-overdue paperwork that needed filing when his secretary, Oriander, came rushing in, looking quite disheveled.
"Sir," he nearly shouted, quite out of breath, "an Owl's just arrived for you – you're needed at St. Mungo's at once. Sir," he repeated again.
Harry looked up at Oriander, concern and confusion evident on his face. "What's happened?" He asked, already getting to his feet.
"It says," Oriander paused, clearly unsure of how to phrase his news, "it says there's been an accident."
Harry's stomach dropped to his feet as his heart simultaneously jumped into his throat. "What kind of accident?" He demanded, as he swung around his desk and grabbed his cloak from its hook.
"I…it doesn't really say," Oriander hedged.
Harry stopped dead and glared at his assistant, "Who?" he asked forcefully.
Oriander hesitated.
"Who?" Harry ordered, louder. His children's faces flashed through his head. Had Lily had a Quidditch accident? Had Al encountered some sort of dark curse while on the job? What had James done this time?
Oriander's answer was unwilling, whispered: "Ginny."
Harry felt the blood drain from his face. He twisted on the spot and was gone.