LONG Authors' note : This plot has been floating in my head for these past few months, and I haven't actively written any fanfiction since at least three years, ten years since my last publish on this website.
I deeply appreciate any comment, good or bad, because I think any author who respects himself wants the criticism to get better in any way possible.
It is very possible some characters might seem OOC or have tendencies, which I think is normal in a fanfiction community, as this is my depiction of a possible dimension that I think could exist, in which some of JK's characters could get along. If you feel too much OOC, please comment in the review section below and I will try to do my best to keep readers as happy as possible
Also, whoever would like to throw some plot bunnies at me after some chapters, I do not promise anything but always appreciate authors who can work with their reads, so I am willing to try and incorporate some of our ideas! However, some chapters are obviously written in advance, so again, I will try my best.
Happy reading!
Chapter 1
Harry sat comfortably in his favorite living room chair, in the corner of one of many sitting rooms in Grimmauld Place. Ginny and he had moved in few months after the end of the wizarding war and like many other witches and wizards of their society, decided to undergo some renovations in the house.
The whole of wizarding London had been touched in one way or the other, people either mentally or physically scarred. Many shops had been burned to the ground or simply vanished when the days leading of the final battle had been raging with duels after duels popping up everywhere. After the final battle, when Harry had met with Voldemort in the ultimate duel that had resulted in the side of the light winning, many Deatheaters had been captured and put away in Azkaban, leaving the rest of the Wizarding community to clean up after their disaster. During the days, weeks and months following the event, uncommon friendships had been formed, while other relationships had been put to an end.
Harry had naturally declared his love for Ginny and had even come down on one knee to ask her the question every woman wants to hear once in her lifetime. Obviously, Ginny had accepted but the two had settled for a long engagement and had only been married for the past year.
Hermione and Ron had gone out on a few dates following the Great Battle, however they both soon realized they were meant to be only friends. Both of them had come to the conclusion and they settled for a close friendship, uniting the Golden Trio as close as ever. Ron had gone on to the tryouts for the Chuddley Cannons, however did not get to the final cut. After a year of intense training and some few inter-city matches, he was finally recruited by the Holyhead Harpies and vowed to take down as many Cannons as he could.
Harry had returned to Hogwarts, as few other students did, to complete his seventh year. He formed new alliances and friendships, some 6th now 7th years also, and went on to enroll in Auror Training. After Kingsley had been appointed Minister for Magic, he had personally recommended Harry getting position as Head Auror, however Harry himself declined, explaining he wanted to do it the usual way and climb up the ladder. He ended up having the position only four years later though.
Ginny had also finished her schooling at Hogwarts and took up the position for Assistant Quidditch Professor, as Madam Hooch wished to retire soon. It was three years later she was finally offered the full-time position from Headmistress McGonagall.
As for Hermione, the last time Harry had seen her had been over –
"HARRY, CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THE BOXES! MY FEET ARE KILLING ME," Harry was scrambled from his reminiscing thoughts as Ginny's piercing voice echoed throughout the house. After a roll of the eyes, he got up from his favorite lounging chair and made his way to the front entrance.
Ginny was currently seven months pregnant and bearing new life. She was also unbearable to be with if she didn't have her afternoon nap, which Harry learned after three months of pregnancy, and her feet had swelled twice their usual side. Don't get the wizard wrong, he loved his witch, although Harry was very anxious for his new baby to be out of her mother's womb because she had even less patience while pregnant.
"Don't get your knickers twisted woman, I'm on my way," he replied rounding the corner and coming face to face with his beaming wife.
"I swear to merlin, not only did my idiot brother have to delay our shopping, he had to leave earlier because he forgot he had a conference call for the United States International Quidditch Cup this afternoon. I am going to wring his neck when he comes back," said Ginny angrily as she pointed out the boxes which needed to be moved upstairs.
She had gone on a last-minute shopping trip with Ron, hoping to buy the last of the baby furniture and clothing they were missing. Harry had suggested she wait, as their baby shower was coming up soon, but Ginny's mind was set on buying her own furniture, in case she received gifts she didn't like. She wanted everything to be perfect for their newborn.
"I hope he confirmed he would be there for the Shower?" asked Harry.
"Yes, and believe me, he won't have a head if he doesn't show. Speaking of the Shower, have you had some news from Hermione lately? She did say she would be in town for it!"
Harry frowned. He hadn't seen the other third of the Golden Trio for a few weeks now. Always busy with work, Hermione was travelling the globe doing –
As Harry opened his mouth to reply, the fireplace roared to life and a tall figure emerged after a few seconds.
"Zabini, I didn't know we were expecting you so early?" exclaimed Ginny as she looked toward the fireplace.
"I know, I know, I just wanted to be sure to have every detail set for next week. I will never repeat this in public, but I can't help but to be nervous. The students are coming back and I'll be alone for the first time for the start of classes. I want to be prepared," the tall dark-haired man replied as he brushed off soot from his robes.
Harry raised his eyebrow followed by a shake of the head and a small smile. Ginny rolled her eyes and helped Blaise take off his robes as she invited him to follow her to the study.
"I'll call you two when supper is ready!" called Harry to the two retreating forms.
Blaise Zabini had been a surprising new addition to their group of friends. As his family had never been in the frontline, not actively participating in the War, he was one of the students that had never been prejudiced and the repeat of the seventh year had been proof of that. He hadn't even waited a week to approach the other houses to extend his excuses for earlier bad attitude and formed some new friendships. As Blaise had always been over-excited and enthusiastic about Quidditch, it was a sunny Friday afternoon that Harry, Ginny, and some other students hosted a friendly Quidditch match and Blaise had had a lengthy conversation with Ginny, debating about a certain point during said match afterwards. The rest was history, but as of now, Blaise would be the one to take Ginny's spot for the next school year, as she took a sabbatical year to spend time with her newborn.
Two hours later, a hungry seven-month pregnant woman and bag-eyed man burst through the kitchen, surprising Harry as he was putting the last of the plates on the table. The couple had invited Zabini for their usual Saturday night supper and they were to overview the last of details before the school year resumed and Zabini would take complete ownership of Ginny's position as Quidditch professor.
"So how's Pansy doing?" Ginny small talked as she filled her plate.
"She's well. I invited her to the shower as you proposed last week, and she gladly accepted the invitation."
"You sure you want her to come to a baby shower Zabini? Those are plans for her to ask you about getting serious and talking about a child now," laughed Harry as he ate.
"Shut up Potter," Blaise replied as he threw a small spoonful of food at him.
"Boys !"
"Sorry Gin. But seriously, when in Merlin's name are you going to give her the ring?" asked Harry.
Blaise looked down at his plate and didn't reply. Harry and Ginny's eyes met for a few seconds.
Blaise and Pansy had been dating for two years now. They had always been close friends since childhood, but it was only recently Blaise had realized he wanted Pansy for his own. It was after the Slytherin witch went out on a bad date and come back crying to her friend that both had finally accepted they had feelings towards the other and had decided to take things slow, eventually leading up to a relationship. Blaise had bought her a wedding ring a few weeks back and always busted Harry and Ginny's ears about finding the courage to ask her.
Waiting for Blaise to answer, Ginny sighed loudly and urged him to answer, "So?"
He looked up from his plate with a sly grin and raised his right eyebrow. Harry's mouth dropped open and Ginny exclaimed her surprise.
"YOU ASKED HER AND DIDN'T TELL US!" screeched Ginny as she herself threw some food at Blaise. Harry laughed and Blaise wiped some homemade potatoes off his cheek.
"Hormones, Weasley, hormones," replied Blaise coolly as he kept eating. "Naturally, she accepted, but we haven't told you because we've been fucking for the past two days."
"Too much info Zabini," whispered Harry as he made a fake gagging gesture.
"Anyways, before, I had a witch to keep happy, now I have a fiancé to keep happy. And if the way to keep her happy is that she has my cock in her-"
"BLAISE!" screamed Ginny again. "Dear Merlin, I'm going to buy you a swear jar before my child is born or you will not have a tongue anymore!"
The two men laughed heartily as they finally finished eating their supper. Blaise retold them the story of how he proposed to the now-soon-to-be Mrs. Zabini and the three kept on talking for a few more hours, eventually moving to the sitting room before Blaise retired for the night.
As the house was clean after the visit of their friend some few minutes after his leave, Ginny and Harry made their way to their bedroom to retire for the night. Ginny's thoughts were on her baby furniture and the possible color of the baby's room they would be painting next week, and Harry's were on his brunette best friend, hoping she would be able to make some time and be present for a while to at least attend their baby shower.
Two days later found Grimmauld Place bursting of life and energy. The Potters had been welcoming their first guests since 2pm and their close friends and family had all come in, everyone shortly arriving after the other.
As Ginny was going around the room and enjoying all the attention that was being put on her, Harry, Ron and Blaise were off to one corner of the sitting room and enjoying a glass of fire whiskey. Blaise had snuck in a bottle of the finest fire whiskey he had in his stash, giving reason to Harry that not only should the baby and mother be showered, but also soon-to-be father. After the three men laughed heartily at Blaise's excuse, they had proceeded to savor the fine liquor and reminisce about old Hogwarts days.
After receiving a Howler from his sister, Ron had been sure to clear his schedule and had confirmed to Ginny he would be present to the shower, even probably sleeping over and volunteering to help clean up after the whole visit would be gone. Happily, Ron had finally found a bit of maturity over the years, although it seemed to evaporate as soon as he was flanked by some masculine friends of his by his side.
At the moment, Ron was excitedly talking about his call two days ago, spent organizing the United States International Quidditch Cup. He went into detail with the boys, explaining that every country had to participate in the Opening Ceremonies, something that was apparently very strong in the Western continent. Ron's team had prepared a number that would contain the equivalent of a patronus-like form of fireworks, based on his team's name. Each player would shoot out their wand to the sky and emit a soft glow that would give out mermaid looking women playing harps and other small wind instruments. The mermaids would finish their opening number by circling around cannons at the bottom of the Quidditch field and making them explode into dust as they swirled around it.
As Ron launched into his very detailed explanation of the other countries' numbers, Harry looked up to see his very pregnant wife making her way towards the crowd with her brows knotted together. As she joined the group and kissed Harry on the cheeked, she looked towards the boys.
"Have any of you seen Hermione yet? She sent me an owl this morning telling me she would try to make it before dessert was served," she asked.
Ron and Harry looked at each other sadly and Ginny frowned upon seeing their reaction.
"Where is the Golden Girl anyways these days? I haven't seen her in ages," said Blaise.
"Last time I heard, she was in the northern part of Egypt conducting some-" started Ron. His answer was cut short as the fireplace bellowed with activity. The people closest to the fireplace moved aside and Ginny beamed happily at the fireplace, expecting to see her best friend coming in.
As the fire died down and a figured emerged from the cloud of dust, Ginny let out a loud sigh of deceit. Not only was the new visitor not her best friend, he was also in the form of a tall blonde Slytherin wizard.
"Malfoy, about time you graced us with your presence!" loudly exclaimed Blaise as he stepped closer to the fireplace to greet his lifelong friend. Harry chuckled and Ron rolled his eyes.
Malfoy nodded to the two Gryffindors and stepped forward to give Ginny a kiss on the cheek. "Here's your present, Weaselette," he grinned.
"Old habits die hard, don't they Draco?" answered Ginny with a smile as she thanked him and excused herself as she joined the other women in the kitchen, where the rest of her gifts sat.
As Ginny made her way to the other part of the house, Draco stepped closer to Blaise to embrace him in a definitely masculine way. The dark-haired boy offered him a glass of fire whiskey, to which Draco couldn't refuse.
Malfoy had come a long way in the many years following the war. As his mother and him had been excused for their faults, his father Lucius unfortunately wasn't graced with such pardon. He had been sentenced though to a minimum of ten years in Azkaban with minimum security and open visiting hours, a privilege that not every Azkaban prisoner could brag about having.
As for Narcissa and Draco, they had been sentenced to serve the equivalent of muggle community hours for the whole of the wizarding community and had since then actively participated in the organizing of many events for all of Wizarding London. Draco had been reluctant at first but after much pushing from his mother, which of whom had never been thoroughly anchored into old Pureblood ways, he had opened up to few people and decided to grace the population of London with a bit of Malfoy charm and generosity.
Harry, Ron and Malfoy had met quite a few times since the War, and it had been over two years ago that they had decided to let go of past grudges. Blaise had unfortunately brought Draco along to some friend-related events and Harry and Ron had learned to tolerate the blonde. It seemed Ginny was the fastest of them all as for warming up to him. After a heated conversation regarding Ginny's Quidditch teaching skills, Draco had challenged her to letting him be a guest to one of her classes. After much success from that original class, the students had exclaimed their excitement and Ginny had since then invited some other famous Quidditch players once every few weeks, Malfoy being a regular. The two could be called close friends, but neither of them would admit to it, preferring to stick to their name-calling friendship and sarcastic bantering.
As the four men kept their conversation flowing, the women were starting to rally everyone to the main sitting room. Some of Harry and Ginny's close friend were all present, as was the whole of the Weasley family, but also some work acquaintances that the two of them had made throughout the years.
Neville Longbottom was present with his fiancée Luna Lovegood and currently, both of them were trying to shush out the many voices present in the room. Fortunately, Ginny had asked some help from McGonagall, whom was also present at the gathering, for her to be able to charm the room to be bigger, as to contain many more people than the couple was used to.
"Attention everyone, please- can everybody-" Neville coughed silently.
"Wizards, witches of all ages," butted in Luna.
"Can everyone just-" tried Neville again.
"OH, For the love of MERLIN," exclaimed Molly Weasley loudly as she pushed herself on a chair in the corner of the room she was in. She whistled quite intensely and the room quickly fell silent. A pin drop could be heard. She smiled and thanked everyone, raising an arm towards Neville's direction as she came down from her chair and into the arms of a chuckling Arthur Weasley.
"Thank you Mrs. Weasley," said Neville as he nodded his head gratefully towards the eldest Weasley female. He coughed again shyly as he realized all eyes were on him and Luna lovingly put her hand on her shoulder to encourage him. "I would like to personally congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Potter on their soon arriving miracle," screams and exclamations of joy were heard throughout the room. Harry turned red in the cheeks as Ginny beamed happily and squeezed his hand. "I would also like to take this time to thank them for everything they've ever done for me and certainly some of you present this evening. I don't think they realize it but sometimes, only being in their presence helps your mood and I don't know how they do it, but after any sort of conversation with the two, you always seem to be in a better mood, be it more courageous, more positively-looking at the world, or more loved than ever, for these two are probably the most caring people I've had the chance to meet in my lifetime."
Neville paused and many wizards and witches present shook their head in agreement while some clapped and other cheered.
Luna smiled at her fiancé and decided to pick up where he had left his speech. "In agreement with Nev, I wish to congratulate you both and wish you the best of times with your newborn, may he be as courageous as his father, as charming and beautiful as his mother, as full of love as his grand-parents," she inserted a wink directed at Harry, "and as loyal and smart as the whole of you." She made her way to Ginny to hug her as the red-head had tears in her eyes.
"And as prankster as his uncles!" could be heard, most probably from George at the rear of the crowd.
"And hopefully, should he inherit the black hair, and not the infamous Weasley red," exclaimed Blaise, who was closer to Harry than Ginny, thankfully. Ron slapped him upside the head as Harry rolled his eyes to him and gave him a firm handshake and a smile.
The rest of the evening consisted of more gift-giving, some desserts, lots of alcohol for the men, and many other speeches of congrats and/or best wishes to Ginny and Harry.
"I swear to Merlin, I thought they would never leave!" sighed Ginny as she fell down into one of the Adirondack chairs they had put on their balcony. Harry had been able to charm the backyard and enlarge the balcony so they would be able to welcome more than the usual four people. The couple had been happy with their small but welcoming home, once it had been redecorated that is, but also enjoyed having their group of friends over once in a while. The current set up was able to accommodate Blaise, Pansy and Ron on a swing set that was on one end of the balcony, and four other Adirondack chairs that were scrambled around a small fire pit that was just to the side of the swing. Draco and Harry were already occupying two of the chairs as Ginny was just finishing up the cleaning of the backyard. As she sat close to Harry's chair, they naturally entwined their hands together and cuddled their chairs closer to each other. Draco made a fake-gagging noise as Pansy laughed and Ron rolled his eyes.
"Too much PDA guys," exclaimed Ron while taking a swig of his fire whiskey.
"You two men will understand true love when you'll find it," replied Ginny while squeezing Harry's hand.
"You just need to tap into your maturity a bit and stop sleeping around if you want to have a chance at actually finding it though," said Pansy with a nod of the head.
All of the guests from the baby shower had left and the group enjoyed some small end of the evening small talk as they relaxed for once.
"So Malfoy, what are you up to these days," asked Harry towards the blond man.
Draco took a deep breath before launching into detail about what project he was currently on.
"We just came back from India last week. Kingsley appointed my group to a special project they got around to closing and we're working on uncovering the mysteries concerning some Runes that were found near the Taj Mahal."
Ginny squeaked happily and asked him for more details.
"Well, apparently, the Runes were only discovered three years ago but the current muggle team working on the case has been unable to crack some sense into the meaning of it. India's Ministry had been informed via their half-blood contact and that's when the Indian Minister for Magic called into Europe for some old favor. Apparently, Kingsley and him have some history and he called upon the favor, so we've been at it for the past month, but no such luck as to cracking the code just yet."
Ron's face was currently scrunched up as he tried to keep up with the conversation, and Pansy and Blaise were listening in indifferently. They had been used to hearing Draco ramble about his work and being present whenever he would get heated in his complicated/intelligent rambles about his work. Ginny on the other side, had only taken interest in his work for the past months and had a bad habit of asking him what project he was working on. That was usually where the rest of the group lost interest and changed subjects.
"That seems really interesting Ferret, seriously, I'd like to see your work one day," said Ginny as she patted his shoulder. Draco nodded his accord and got up to fill his glass.
Harry snorted. "Honestly Malfoy, if we were in an alternate universe, I'd say you were a perfect match for Hermione. Both your brains rival each other and I'm pretty sure she's the only woman that could keep you grounded and well-trained!"
The reactions to Harry's response were not at all surprising. Pansy and Blaise laughed so hard that Pansy started coughing so much, Blaise had to conjure her a glass of water. Ginny's mouth fell open without so much as another reaction; she seemed to be frozen in time. Ron spit out the mouthful of fire whiskey he had just ingested. And Draco, his reaction was the best. He froze on the spot as if he had just been hexed and turned beet-red as he stared wide-eyed at Harry. Blaise only laughed harder when he noticed Draco's face.
"Potter. That has got to be the most ridicule proposition of all time," answered Draco when he seemed to finally come back to life.
"Over my dead body!" screamed Ron.
Ginny smiled and crossed eyes with Pansy, who lifted an eyebrow in return to the redhead. Ginny nodded her agreement and a silent conversation had passed between the two women.
"When you actually think about it, it isn't as farfetched as it seems," added Blaise to the already growing pandemonium among the group.
The girls' laughed again and Malfoy shook his head while looking up to the stars. The whole of the group was then startled by some noise coming from inside. Harry stood up quickly, directing his wand towards the door leading to the house, and the rest of them located their wands in case of immediate danger.
"I am SO so sorry Gin, I tried to make it as fast as I could, you know me, I just couldn't tear myself away from our discovery of the day! 600 year-old Runes, found in the cave of an ancient pyramid. Can you imagine the possibilities!," exclaimed a short brunette as the newcomer burst through the door.
"HERMIONE!" screamed Ginny as she launched herself towards he best friend.
"Oopmh," came out from Hermione as she received a mess of red hair in the face.
"Herms, you were able to come. That's great!" said Harry as he queued behind his wife for a hug.
"Granger, how you doin!" asked Blaise as he slowly got up from his chair.
Most of the group stood up to give Hermione their greetings but it seemed a reluctant blond was still frozen in shock at her arrival.
"The hell is this? Did you plan this?" Draco asked Harry angrily and he took another big swig of the fire whiskey bottle and sank to his chair disgracefully.
Authors' note: I know I alternate a lot between men and boys, Malfoy and Draco, Zabini and Blaise, and that's without mentioning all the name-calling and friendly bickering, but in my universe, I think these people could one day be friends, in their unique kind of way !
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